Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/168

166 Oregon Decided to Hold Constitutional Convention. The most important event occurring during the administration of Governor Curry was the convention which formulated the state convention. The question of authorizing a constitutional convention had been submitted to the people by the Legislature in 1856, and was carried by a vote of 7209 in favor and 1616 against. The Indian wars of 1855 and 1856 had resulted in many claims against the United States Government, and it was thought better opportunity for their favorable consideration would exist if Oregon were represented by men who could vote in Congress.

The Constitutional Convention. The constitutional convention met in Salem on August 17, 1857. and consisted of 60 members. Among them were 34 farmers and 18 lawyers. All three justices of the Territorial Supreme Court were members—Judge Matthew P. Deady, Judge George H. Williams, and Judge Cyrus Olney. Judge Deady was elected president of the convention, and Chester N. Terry secretary. On September 18, sixty days after it began its labors, the convention adjourned, having adopted the proposed constitution by a vote of 35 in favor and 10 against, 15 being absent. At a special election held on the second of the following November, the document was adopted by the people by a vote of 7195 to 3215 against, and on February 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted into the Union as the thirty-third State.

Negro Slavery Submitted to the People. Two questions were submitted separately to the people, one as to whether the new state should adopt slavery, and the other declaring that free negroes should not be permitted to reside here. The vote for slavery was 2645, against 7727. Against free negroes as residents, 8640; and for, 1081. The new constitution thus declared against free negroes living in Oregon, but its enactment was never enforced.