Theodore Thurston Geer

“ When the early American immigrants began to come here in considerable numbers, the "Oregon country' was not a part of any nation, but was resting under a not well defined claim of both the United States and of Great Britain. It was, indeed, an independent community, really owing allegiance to no higher power, and was, in fact, for some years after its inception, a pure democracy. The early settlers referred to the United States as a foreign country. ”

“ He should be comforted by the assurance that he has the united hope of all the people of the state he so nobly served, when his attitude seemed to demand a special sacrifice, that he may live many years yet to enjoy the fruits of his early efforts in its behalf. ”

“ Their devotion to the welfare and honor of their beloved state is unbounded and immeasurable, and their every effort should be given to its continued development along such lines as will contribute to the advancement and betterment of all its people. ”

“ Boise was elected prosecuting attorney about 1853, and has been almost continuously in the judicial service of the state since, and now, at the age of eighty years, he is physically hale, strong mentally, has yet four years to his credit in his present term as circuit judge in the third district, and is rounding out an active and creditable career in the state he helped to found, and is enjoying the esteem and confidence of all his fellow-citizens. ”

“ That we deem it expedient for this community to take immediate measures for the destruction of all wolves, bears, and panthers, and such other animals as are known to be destructive to cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs.
"2. That a treasurer be appointed who shall receive all funds and dispense the same, in accordance with drafts drawn on him, by the committee appointed to receive the evidences of the destruction of the above-named animals; and that he report the state of the treasury by posting up public notices once in three months in the vicinity of each of the committee. ”

“ Resolved, That all acts and parts of acts on that subject, passed by the legislative committee, were contrary to the express resolution and action of the people. The preserved record of that meeting held at this place fifty-eight years ago makes no mention of the passage of the resolution here referred to, but such action must have been taken, which seems to indicate that the vision of our fathers did not reach far into the future if they expected to maintain a government without levying taxes upon the people. ”

“ That the executive power shall cause to be let out to the lowest bidder the building of a substantial log jail at Oregon City, to be finished in such time and manner as they may think proper, and shall take such bond and security as may be sufficient to secure its completion.
"Section 3. That said administrator shall pay all moneys collected by him belonging to the estate of said Young, deceased, to the treasurer of Oregon, whose duty it shall be to give the said administrator a receipt for the same. ”

“ That no bounty be paid unless the individual claiming said bounty give satisfactory evidence, or by presenting the skin of the head, with the ears, of all animals for which he claims a bounty.
"6. That the committee and treasurer form a board of advice to call public meetings, whenever they may deem expedient, to promote and encourage all persons to use their vigilance in destroying all the animals named in the fourth resolution. ”

“ It will be profitable for the younger generation of Oregonians, who are accustomed to behold costly and modern public buildings, and to read of general appropriation bills amounting to near $1,000,000 per annum, to be reminded that the appropriation bill for the year 1845 was $1,035, and that $500 of it went to pay the members, $40 to the clerk of the house, and $20 to the engrossing clerk. ”

“ When, upon this exact spot fifty-eight years ago to-day, Joe Meek, in his impulsively patriotic manner, called for a "division,and, taking his stand apart from the others, asked all those who were in favor of an organization to follow- him, he could not have foreseen, neither could his compatriots, the future great commonwealth to be reared upon an enduring foundation, the corner stone of which was that day so dramatically provided ”

“ Your committee, to whom was referred the procuring of a house in which to hold the present session of the legislature, beg leave to report that they have examined several houses, and have decided in favor of the one owned by G. W. Rice, which, together with wood for the session, can be had for $5.00 per day, in scrip. ”

“ Even of those who rendered valuable service to the budding commonwealth a decade later, none are in active life now that I recall, except our "Grand Old Man," Hon. George H. Williams, and Judge R. P. Boise. I believe Judge Boise has seen longer service in the public affairs of Oregon than any other man who has ever been one of its citizens. On the twelfth of December, 1853, Hon. J. D. Boon, who was the territorial treasurer, mentions in his report to the legislature that on the seventeenth of December, 1852, he "paid R. P. Boise, per order, No. ”