Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/539

488 resolutions, were taken the longer passage by sea to Washington.

Upon the reassembling of the legislative body, Governor Abernethy, who had but recently returned from the Hawaiian Islands, sent in his first message. It referred to the adoption of the amended organic law, and the duty of the members to make their legislation conform to it; adverted to the insufficiency of the revenue, recommended taxing farms as well as cattle and merchandise, and made some suggestions with regard to regulating the time of holding courts.

Owing to the refusal of McCarver to sign the document to be sent to Washington, there was a disposition to ignore his rights as speaker, and a ballot was taken, which resulted in eight votes for Gray and only one for McCarver. The protest of the speaker was met by a resolution by Applegate asking him to resign. Both proceedings were reconsidered the same day, and on the third McCarver, by a motion of Garrison, was restored to his office, but tendered his resignation. Gray, who desired the speakership, voted that he be allowed to resign, but the motion being