versity Association ; and setting apart the interest on the fund arising from the sale of seventy-two sections of land donated to the state for the support of the university for the payment of the salaries of teachers and officers.
These were all measures important to the welfare and dignity of the state, and gave to Grover s administration the credit of having the interests of the people at heart. An agricultural college was established by simply paying for the tuition of twenty-three pupils at an ordinary academy, at ordinary academy charges.[1] A university was established, by requiring the town where it was located to furnish a site and a building, and paying the faculty out of the university fund. The Modoc war, also, which occurred during Grover s term of office, added some consequence to his administration, which, excepting that of Governor Gibbs, was the most busy, for good or evil, of any which had occurred in the history of the state. In 1874 Grover was reelected, over J. C. Tolman, republican, and T. F. Campbell, independent.[2]
In 1872 the republicans in the legislature elected John H. Mitchell to succeed Corbett in the U. S.
senate. He served the state ably.[3]
- ↑ Or. Governor's Message, 1872, 3-10; Or. Laws, 1872, 47-53; Grover's Pub. Life in Or., MS., 72.
- ↑ Grover's opponent in 1870 was Joel Palmer, who was not fitted for the position, being past his prime. In 1874 Grover s majority over Tolman was 550. Campbell simply divided the vote, and was beaten by 3,181. He was a preacher of the Christian church, and president of Monmouth college, of which he was also the founder, and which became a prosperous school.
- ↑ Mitchell was born in Penn. June 22, 1835, receiving a fair education, and studying law, which he practised in his native state. Appearing in Oregon in 1860, at the moment when his talents and active loyalty could be made available, he rapidly rose in favor with his party, and was appointed prosecuting attorney for the 4th jud. dist, in place of W. W. Page, resigned, but declined, and in 1864 was elected state senator. From this time he was a leader in politics, and a favorite among men, having many pleasing personal qualities. After having been chosen senator, a scandal was discovered which dismayed the republicans and gave the independents that which they desired, a strong leverage against the old party, which was split in consequence, the breach made being so violent that at the next senatorial election they lost the battle to the democrats. Mitchell was not unseated, however, as had been hoped. At the expiration of his term he resumed the practice of the law, first in Washington city, and later in Portland, where he achieved his first political honors, and where the field is open to talent to distinguish itself.
