Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/391

Rh troubles of our fathers, in the matter of proceeding with their legislative sessions, they at least seemed to be exempt from the speculative tendency to corner the wood supply for state institutions, although there are more trees growing in Oregon to-day than there were sixty years ago.

On the twentieth of July, 1849, although the territorial government was fully inaugurated, the following resolution was introduced and adopted:

"Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed on the part of the house to act in conjunction with a like number to be appointed by the council, to inquire into the expediency of the two houses adjourning until after harvest.' In accordance with the terms of this joint resolution, both houses adjourned on the twenty-eighth of July, and reconvened on the twentieth of August, which was "after harvest."

The journal for the session of the legislative committee held on May 19, 1843, recites that "the house adjourned by uniting in prayer.' On June 30, 1845, Mr. Gray presented a communication from Rev. H. Clark, "resigning his appointment as chaplain of the house,and Messrs. Garrison, Straight, and Gray were appointed a committee to procure another chaplain. On the following day, it is recorded that Mr. Garrison, from the committee to procure a chaplain, reported that "no person could be found to perform the duties of that office."

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. My recollection is that the amount