Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/390

374 and the kind of property in which it is to be paid. It might be said, in connection with this proposition, that the manner in which our assessments are disregarded at present in many cases amounts to little more than a voluntary contribution on the part of some of our counties towards the support of the state government."

In this connection it is interesting to recall that when the territorial legislature met in Oregon City on the seventh of December, 1847, during the afternoon session the record says that Mr. Hembree, from the committee appointed to procure a room, reported that the room now occupied by Stephen Meek could be obtained for $1.25 per day, "which report was adopted;' but the next day the record says the report, on motion of Mr. Nesmith, was rejected. No reason whatever is assigned for this very disrespectful treatment of Mr. Meek, but the house adjourned to "meet at the Methodist Church in thirty minutes!"

At the beginning of the session of 1846, Mr. Meek reported as follows:

"Mr. Speaker, the committee appointed to procure a room for the use of the legislature beg leave to report that they have discharged their duty by examining a room proposed by Mr. Knighton, at $2.00 a day, and one proposed by Mr. Card at —— a day. Taking everything into consideration, we recommend the former." And at the opening of the session as late as 1848, Mr. Crawford, of Marion County, reported: "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."

In connection with the other features of the early