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DEDICATION OF OREGON CITY LOCKS 199

locks whose acquisition by the general government and freeing from tolls this gathering is commemorating today. I have not time to go into the details of the history of construction. I was but a boy, but as my father was a most active participant in everything connected with the building of the locks; and as he would not go very far out of his way to keep out of a fight, there was something doing most of the time. I remember very distinctly hearing of the seemingly unsurmountable ob- stables that beset the enterprise one after another, and which made the completion of the work on time appear an impos- sibility. Some of these hindrances were inevitable in a work of this character while others were carefully planned by some who for one reason or another hoped to delay if not prevent the final completion of the locks and canal. During this period Ben Holladay was building a railroad up the Willamette Valley, and was a powerful factor in the state both in politics and business. As was but natural he did not look with favor on the completion of the locks. Politics were politics then, and politics entered into everything. Under the law the locks had to be completed by January 1st, 1873, and their completion would be marked by the passage of a steamer through them. A bond of $300,000 had been given that the work would be completed by the date mentioned. Col. Isaac W. Smith was the chief engineer in charge. My father has stated that the work was done in nine working months, at a cost of about $450,000, and that not a life was lost during construction. The eventful January 1st was approaching. A steamer was sought to make the trip. For some mysterious reason, through some occult influence, none could be secured. It seemed that at last the promoters of this enterprise were cornered, and that a lesson would be taught that would be remembered by any one who dared dispute the supremacy of the river with those in control. Finally, however, as a forlorn hope, the little Maria Wilkins, only 76 feet 5 inches long and 17 feet 5 inches beam, was secured, and on January 1st, 1873, she started from Port- land for Oregon City. The following were among the invited