securing title in the soil to bona fide purchasers.[1] A few acts, general and special, were passed,[2] among others, one providing for the seal of the state of Oregon,[3] and one for a special election to be held on the 27th of June for the choice of a representative to congress, after which the legislature adjourned.
One thing they had failed to do, its omission being significant—they had not elected Delazon Smith to return to the United States senate. Rather than do that, they preferred to leave his place vacant, which they did, Smith having shown himself while in Washington not only an adherent of Lane, dethroned, but a man altogether of whom even his party was ashamed.[4]
Of their representative Grover, there was much to be said in his praise. His speeches were impressive, full of condensed facts, and he conducted himself in such a way generally as to command respect. It was said that there was more culture and ability in the one representative than in the two senators. But it was not upon fitness, but party requirements, that he had been elected; and before he had returned to offer him self for reëlection, new issues had arisen, and another man had been nominated in his place. Thus both of the men, prime favorites of the democratic party in Oregon, returned to the new state after less than one month of congressional honors, to find that their gains were only pecuniary.[5]
- ↑ Gen. Laws Or., 1859, 29–30.
- ↑ An act providing for the election of presidential electors, and to prescribe their duties. An act providing for the registration of the property of married women, according to the constitution. An act providing for the leasing of the penitentiary. An act raising the state tax to two mills on a dollar, etc.
- ↑ 'The description of the seal of the state of Oregon shall be an escutcheon supported by thirty-three stars divided by an ordinary, with the inscription "The Union."' In chief—mountains, an elk with branching antlers, a wagon, the Pacific ocean, on which is a British man-of-war departing and an American steamer arriving. The second quartering with a sheaf, plough and pick-axe. Crest, the American eagle. Legend, State of Oregon. Deady's Laws Or., 496–7.
- ↑ They used to call him Delusion Smith.
- ↑ The men put in nomination at the democratic convention in April were W. W. Chapman, George L. Curry, George H. Williams, L. F. Grover, and Lansing Stout. The contest was between Stout and Grover, and Stout received 7 more votes in convention than Grover. Lansing Stout, lawyer,
