432
OREGON BECOMES A STATE.
legislature consisted of twenty-nine democrats and five republicans in the lower house, and twelve democrats and four republicans in the senate.[1] According to the constitution, the first state legislature was required to meet on the first Monday in July 1858, and proceed to elect two senators to congress, and make such other provision as was necessary to complete the organization of a state government. In compliance with this requirement, the newly elected legislature met on the 5th of July, and chose Joseph Lane and Delazon Smith United States senators.[2] On the 8th the inauguration of Governor Whiteaker took place, Judge Boisé administering the oath.[3] Little business was transacted of a legislative nature. A tax of two
- ↑ Senate: Marion county, J. W. Grim, E. F. Colby; Yamhill, J. Lamson; Clackamas and Wasco, J. S. Ruckle; Polk, F. Waymire; Linn, Luther Elkins, Charles Drain; Lane, W. W. Bristow, A. B. Florence; Umpqua, Coos, and Curry, D. H. Wells; Jackson, A. M. Berry; Josephine, S. R. Scott; Washington, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook, *T. R. Cornelius; Multnomah, *J. A. Williams; Benton, *John S. McIteeney; Douglas, *J. F. Gazley. House: Clatsop and Tillamook, R. W. Morrison; Columbia and Washington, Nelson Hoyt; Multnomah, A. D. Shelby, *T. J. Dryer; Clackamas, A. F. Hedges, B. Jennings, D. B. Hannah; Wasco, Victor Trevitt; Polk, B. F. Burch, J. K. Wait; Marion, B. F. Harding, B. F. Bonham, J. H. Stevens, J. H. Lassater; Linn, N. H. Cranor, E. E. McIninch, T. T. Thomas, John T. Crooks; Lane, R. B. Cochran, A. S. Patterson, A. J. Cruzan; Umpqua, J. M. Cozad; Douglas, Thomas Norris, *A. J. McGee; Coos and Curry, William Tichenor; Jackson, Daniel Newcomb, W. G. T'Vault, *J. W. Cully; Josephine, D. H. Holton; Washington, *Wilson Bowlby; Yamhill, *A. Shuck, J. C. Nelson (resigned); Benton, J. H. Slater, H. B. Nichols. Luther Elkins was chosen president of the senate and W. G. T'Vault speaker of the house. *Republicans.
- ↑ Lane wrote from Washington, May 18, 1858, soliciting the nomination, and promising to do much if elected; declaring, however, that he did not wish a seat in the senate at the expense of harmony in the democratic party. He added a postscript to clinch the nail. 'Dear Bush—The bill for the admission of Oregon has this moment passed the senate, 35 to 17. All right in the house. Your friend, Lane.' Or. Statesman, June 29, 1858. Notwithstanding the promises contained in this letter, and the bait held out by addendum, Lane made no effort to get the bill through the house at that session. He wished to secure the senatorship, but he was not anxious to have Oregon admitted until the time was ripe for the furtherance of a scheme of the democratic party, into which the democrats of Oregon were not yet admitted.
- ↑ John Whiteaker was born in Dearborn co., Ind., in 1820. He came to the Pacific coast in 1849, and to Oregon in 1852. San José Pioneer, Dec. 21, 1878. His early life was spent on a farm in his native state. At the age of 25 he married Miss N. J. Hargrove, of Ill., and on the discovery of gold in Cal. came hither, returning to Ill. in 1851 and bringing his family to Oregon. He settled in Lane county in 1852, where he was elected county judge. He was a member of the legislature of 1857. Representative Men of Oregon, 178.
