Page:Pacific Monthly volumes 9 and 10.djvu/54

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B. VAN DUSEN, Aatoria, Or. WM. D. WHEELWRIGHT, Portland, Or.

of the Board of Directors


plated, a^d that the President and 'Secretary of the Society publicly invite the people of this State to co-operate in the accomplishment of the ends in view.

That the Governor of Oregon be, and he hereby is, requested to transmit to the Governors of the States of Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, which were comprised, in whole or in part, in the "Oregon Country," a copy of these resolutions, with an invitation to the people of said States to participate in the objects above set forth, and that he request each of said Governors to submit his communication to the next en- suing session of the Legislative Assembly of their respective States, for consideration and action.

That the Secretary communicate to the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Oregon and the other States above named, this action of the Society, and solicit their advocacy of such Congressional aid in the accomplishment of the purposes above set forth as may be available.

About this time a Provisional Com- mittee of 21, representing the business interests of Portland, was formed for the purpose of promoting the proposed exposition, keeping its objects con- stantly before the people of Portland and paving the way for the coming of the stock company. This commit- tee was very active and accomplished a great deal of good in its year's ex- istence.

Complying with the request of the Historical Society, the Oregon Legis- lature of T90T took prompt action in behalf of the Lewis and Clark Exposi-


tion. On February 21st, the House extended the privileges of the floor to Hon. J. M. Long, chairman of the Pro- visional Committee, and listened to a fifteen minute address by him. At the conclusion of his remarks. Repre- sentative Orton, of Portland, presented two concurrent resolutions, which were immediately adopted and the Sen- ate concurred in them. One of the resolutions indorsed "the Centennial of the Lewis and Clark exedition and the Oriental Fair to be held at the City of Portland in connection there- with during the year 1905," and re- solved "that the State will give its sub- stantial financial aid thereto.'* The Governor was authorized to appoint five commissioners to represent the State, and the other Northwestern States were invited to make exhibits. The second resolution requested Con- gress to "make a suitable appropriation for a national exhibit at said fair, and also that proper acts be passed and pro- per resolutions be presented to the Oriental countries and to other foreign governments, and the Dominion of Canada, requesting them to make an industrial exhibit at said fair."

Washington, Idaho, Utah and Brit- ish Columbia promptly fell into line with Oregon, and early in the year 1901 the Lewis and Clark Exposition was being cared for in the various