Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/312

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252
Flora Belle Ludington

freedom in the territories ... we had better throw off our vassalage and become a state at once."[1] This change in policy on the part of Dryer made it possible for the Daily Advertiser to say December 5, 1860, "Verily consistency is a jewel that does not shine in the Oregonian's record. By all other considerations let the adopted German citizens of Multnomah remember the viturperative abuse the Oregonian has heaped on them heretofore, and pay off the old score by voting against T. J. Dryer and W. T. Watkins, the Republican free-soil-nigger-loving-know-nothing-German-hating candidates for Presidential electors."

In a few weeks the same journal announced, December 26, 1860, "The Oregonian has become the property of Mr. Henry Pittock, who contemplates issuing a daily paper in connection with his weekly about the first of January next. Mr. Dryer retains his position as editor."

H. L. Pittock had worked on the Oregonian in a minor capacity since November, 1853, he and Elisha Treat Gunn had been admitted to partnership with Dryer in November, 1856. On November 20, 1858, they withdrew until November 24, 1860, when Mr. Dryer transferred his interest to Mr. Pittock, retaining editorial control until January 12, 1861. In recognition of his services Dryer was appointed by Lincoln as commissioner to the Sandwich Islands. Pittock successfully managed the Oregonian for a long span of years. After Dryer, editors were Simeon Francis, Henry Miller, Amory Hollbrook, John F. Damon, Samuel A. Clarke, H. W. Scott, W. Lair Hill, and again H. W . Scott. Mr. Scott was first editor in May, 1865, for a few years in the 70's he retired to become collector of customs, in 1877 he bought an interest in the paper and became editor-in-chief, a position he held virtually until his death in 1910.


  1. Oregonian November 1, 1856. Quoted by Woodward W. C. Political Parties in Oregon, 1843-1868, p. 98.