Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/401

 FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON

383

perhaps fortunate for him that it was the Legislature to which he presented himself as a candidate rather than to the elector-, for his inactivity in the last session of Congress had up much feeling; some said that he purposely put off

ate,

stirred

acting in order that he might draw the mileage of both DeleIt appears that few gate and Senator at the next session. people in Oregon realized the bitterness of the contest which

was being waged over Kansas, or recognized the bearing of upon their own interests. Kansas had, however, voluntarily deferred the time of her admission to the Union by rejecting the Lecompton constitution and had to wait until her population should be numerous enough to equal the number required as a ratio for one representative. Commenting on this Buchanan, in his Annual Message, said, "Of course it would be unjust to give this rule a retrospective application and exclude a State, which, acting upon the past practice of the Government, had already formed its constitution, elected its legislature and other officers and is that contest

now prepared to enter the Union. " n The President's opinion, obviously prompted

if

not dictated

by party considerations, found a response in the House where the Senate bill was waiting. Alexander Stephens, chairman of the Committee on Territories, stated (7 January) in answer to inquiries both in and out of Congress, that he was prepared to report the Oregon bill whenever his committee was called. A month later (9 February) he announced that the Committee on Territories had been reached, saying that he gave notice in order that there might be a full attendance on the next day. The bill was reported (10 February) 12 with a recommendation for passage from the majority of the committee. There had been no census since 1855, when the population was 43,474, but there was $18,000,000 worth of personal property to tax, which, allowing for a legitimate increase, and using the ratio in Ohio, would indicate a population of 250,000. Either Oregon 11

Richardson, Messages, V, 502. Crow's report, page 946. i, 943 seq. 10, u, 12, an d the bill was passed February 12.

12 Globe, 1858-9, Pt.

on February

The debate occurred