Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/172



On St. Valentine's day of the year 1859, Oregon appeared as the thirty-third star in the constellation of states. But as will be seen, Congress was slow in form ing a decision to admit Oregon to statehood. This caused considerable delay, during which certain historic events took place, which should be mentioned in this connection.

In the belief that Congress would promptly pass the enabling act, making Oregon a State, the Oregon voters elected a complete State ticket in June, 1858. As required by the constitution, a special term of the newly elected State Legislature convened in Salem, July 5th, for the purpose of electing two United States Senators; and on the eighth of July the oath of office was administered to Governor Whiteaker by Judge R. P. Boise, and the machinery of the new Government was put in operation. The Legislature elected Joseph Lane and Delazon Smith to represent Oregon in the United States Senate, and adjourned after a session of four days. Soon afterwards, as "The History of the Willamette Valley" relates, Word was received that Congress had adjourned without the House passing the enabling act which had been approved by the Senate early in May, and that Oregon must remain a Territory until the next session. For some time the question as to the course that should be pursued was warmly discussed. There were two full sets ot officers and two forms of government. Gradually it became the general opinion that the State officers should per-