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The semi-centennial of the admission of Oregon into the Union was observed with fitting exercises at the State House on Monday, February 15th. The Legislature joined with the Oregon Historical Society, which had provided the programme. The main address was given by the Hon. Frederick N. Judson, of the St. Louis bar. Mr. Judson took as his theme the interrelations between the national affairs during the first half of the century and the exploration and settlement of the Oregon country. Judge George H. Williams, who was one of the leading members of the constitutional convention, being chairman of the committee on judiciary, also made an address of remarkable interest, on phases of life in the early Oregon community. The opening address was made by the Hon. Frederick V. Holman, President of the Historical Society.

During the last few months some noteworthy writings on Northwestern history have appeared. Prof. Edmond S.Meany, of the University of Washington, is the author of the first comprehensive account of the history of that state from the first explorations down to the present time. It is published by the Macmillan Company, and it is being received with much favor as a work of fine scholarship and dramatic interest. An exhaustive work of high merit, giving the story of the state of Washington in four volumes, comes from the pen of Clinton A. Snowden of Tacoma. The people of Washington are to be congratulated on having such capable and conscientious activity devoted to its annals. Mr. Snowden's book is brought out by the Century History Company of New York.

In Prof. W. D. Lyman, of Whitman College, the Columbia River (Putnam's) found a sympathetic, enthusiastic and worthy historian. Professor Lyman's book does not, however, center upon a systematic, account of the exploration and set-