Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/181

Rh exonerated Judge Strong, declaring that the sentiment of the meeting had been maliciously misrepresented; Strong replying that the explanation was satisfactory to him. But the Statesman, ever on the alert to pry into actions and motives, soon made it appear that the reconciliation had not been between the people and Strong, but that W. W. Chapman, who had been dismissed from the roll of attorneys in the second district, had himself written the letter and used means to procure his brother's signature with the object of being admitted to practice in the first district; the threefold purpose being gained of exculpating Strong, undoing the acts of Pratt, and replacing Chapman on the roll of attorneys.

A majority of the legislative assembly having convened at Salem, that body organized by electing Samuel Parker president of the council, and Richard J. White, chief clerk, assisted by Chester N. Terry and Thomas B. Micou. In the house of representatives William M. King was elected speaker, and Benjamin F. Harding chief clerk. Having spent several days in making and adopting rules of procedure, on the 5th of December the representatives informed the council of their appointment of a committee, consisting of Cole, Anderson, Drew, White, and Chapman, to act in conjunction with a committee from the council, to draft resolutions concerning the course pursued by the federal officers. The message of the representatives was laid on the table until the 8th. In the mean time Deady offered a resolution in the council that, in view of the action of Nelson and Strong, a memorial be sent to congress on the subject. Hall followed this resolution with another, that Hamilton, secretary of the territory, should be informed that the legislative assembly was organized at Salem, and that his services as secretary were required at the