Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/369

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THE CAPITAL QUESTION.
351

McLoughlin, the money obtained from the sale of lots should be refunded out of the sale of the second township granted by congress for university purposes in the last amendment to the land law of Oregon.[1] Such was the condition of the several appropriations for the benefit of the territory, at the beginning of the session.

And now began bargaining. Further appropriations must be obtained for the public buildings. Corvallis desired the capital, and the future appropriations. At the same time the members from southern Oregon felt that their portion of the state was entitled to a share in the distribution of the public money. An act was passed relocating the seat of government at Corvallis, and removing the university to Jacksonville.[2] It was not even pretended that the money to be spent at Jacksonville would benefit those it was intended to educate, but only that it would benefit Jackson county.[3]

The act which gave Corvallis the capital ordained that "every session of the legislative assembly, either general or special," should be convened at that place, and appointed a new board of commissioners to erect suitable public buildings at the new seat of government.[4] Congress made a further appropriation of $27,000 for the state house, and $40,000 for the penitentiary, to be expended in such a manner as to insure completion without further aid from the United States.[5] Then it began to be understood that the relocation act, not having been submitted to congress as required by the organic act, was not operative, and

  1. This is an allusion to a memorial similar to Anderson's passed at the previous session.
  2. Or. Laws, in Statesman, Feb. 6 and 13, 1855.
  3. In the bargain between Avery and the Jackson county member, said the Statesman, the latter remarked that he 'did not expect it [the university] to remain there, but there would be about $12,000 they could expend before it could be removed, which would put up a building that would answer for a court-house.'
  4. B. R. Biddle, J. S. McItuney, and Fred. Waymire constituted the new board. Or. Statesman, Feb. 6, 1855.
  5. Cong. Globe, 1854–5, app. 380, 33d cong. 2d sess.