locate the seat of government may have had some influence in determining the action of the assembly with regard to the character of the edifice already in process of construction. It was the entering wedge for another location war, more bitter and furious than the first, and which did not culminate until 1855–6. The university had not made so much advancement as the state house and penitentiary, the appropriations for the former being in land, which had to be converted into money.[1]
Remembering the experiences of the past three years, the legislative assembly enacted a militia law constituting Oregon a military district, and requiring the appointment by the governor of a brigadier-general, who should hold office for three years, unless sooner removed; and the choice at the annual election in each council district of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, and one major, who should meet at a convenient place, within three months, and lay off their regimental district into company districts, to contain as nearly as possible one hundred white male adults between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years capable of bearing arms, and who should appoint captains and lieutenants to each company district, the captains to appoint sergeants and corporals. Commissions were to issue from the governor to all officers except sergeants and corporals, the term of office to be two years, unless prevented by unsoundness of mind or body, each officer to rank according to the date of his commission, the usual rules of military organization and government being incorporated into the act.[2] In compliance with this law, Governor Davis appointed,
- ↑ The legislature of 1852–3 had authorized the commissioners to construct the university building 'at the town of Marysville, in the county of Benton, on such land as shall be donated for that purpose by Joseph P. Friedly,' unless some better or more eligible situation should be offered. Or. Statesman, Feb. 5, 1853. The commissioners to select the two townships had only just completed their work.
- ↑ Or. Jour. Council, 1853–4, 113, 118, 128; Laws of Or., in Or. Statesman, Feb. 21, 1854; Or. Jour. Council, 1854–5, app. 12, 15, 17.
