5O OREGON
early 188o's, a new era of population growth and economic expansion began for Oregon. Homesteads were established in the more isolated sections, and the eastern plains and ranges were utilized for large-scale production of wheat and livestock. Industries for processing the materials from forests and farms came into being. Steamship as well as railroad commerce developed at a rapid rate. The Sally Brown, sailing from Portland to Liverpool in 1868, carried the first full cargo of Oregon wheat ever to be exported; since then Portland has become one of the more important wheat-shipping ports of the world. In the three decades between 1870 and 1900, the State's population increased from 90,923 to 413,526. Impressive evidence of a century's advance was presented in the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, held at Portland in 1905.
The second Regiment of Oregon's National Guard was the first unit of the American expeditionary force to support Admiral Dewey at Manila, in the Spanish- American War of 1898. The regiment took part in several engagements with the Spanish, and remained in the Philippines throughout the campaign against Aguinaldo.
Oregonians were among the first American troops in active overseas service during the World War, taking part with distinction in the engagements at Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, St. Mihiel, Cambrai, Argonne Forest, and elsewhere. In the total of 44,166 Oregon men enrolled in the American forces, more than 1,000 deaths were recorded, and 355 were cited or decorated for distinguished service.
In the march of political and social progress, as expressed in legislative enactments and constitutional amendments, Oregon has kept well abreast of her sister States. The Australian ballot system was introduced in 1891, and a year later William S. U'Ren of Portland began an extensive campaign that resulted in adoption by the state of the initiative and referendum in 1902, the direct primary in 1904, and the recall in 1908. Other progressive steps were taken with the adoption of woman suffrage in 1912, workmen's compensation and widows' pensions in 1913, compulsory education in 1921, and a system of people's utility districts in 1930.
Nothing in recent Oregon history is of greater significance for the future than the construction by the Federal government of Bonneville Dam and lock on the Columbia River 42 miles east of Portland. Begun in 1933 and now (1940) nearly completed, this $70,000,000 project will supply hydro-electric power to a huge area in the Columbia River
