Nebraska advertiser., 1859-12-15

~ ~ ~ 80 ES484 - 49, NaOO1& AAG
following estimate, viz: 1921 whites,
S5l free colored, and 27,076 slaves. So
that her representative population when
she was admitted as a State, may be far
ly set down at 50,SlS, or 1852 less than
the ratio Of one representative under the
then existing law.
The people Of Florida, as early as
1889, thought they were fit to become a
State, and bear its burdens. In the
course Of five or six years, Congress came
to the same conclusion, by the very large
vote which / have quoted. The histo-
rians of the time do not tell US that there
was any conception or sense of injustice
to the existing States because the popula-
zion Of Florida was so small. Mr.. Ben
ton says Iowa and Florida were admitted
without a struggle" Iowa has increaS-
ed in population and wealth, since her
admission, to a wonderful degree, and is
already q Of the great Western States
of the Union; while no one dare say for
a moment, that Florida has not fully JUS
titled her claim to fellowship and equality
with the other States of the c~onfederacy.
Bat if the rule of population, enough
for at least one representative, IS to he
established, and is to govern the claim Of
every future State for admission into the
Union, let US look a little at its practical
operation. Nebraska has at this lime
say $4,000 or 10000 inhabitants-at all
events she has less than 93.423. In the
year 1860 her constituted authorities cali
a convention confessedly lawful, the peo-
pie approve, a constitution is adopted
and ratified, a memorial in due form is
presented embodying orr prayer for ad-
mission. All agree that there is no OBJ
lection TO the constitution, but we are told
that, not having 93,423 inhabitants, Ne
braska is not fit to be admitted as a State
of the Union, and she is relected-possi-
bly, by the votes of Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Florida and
South Carolina. A new census is taken
in 1860 and 81, and is followed by an
ap%portionment. Nebraska by this time
numbers 93,423 inhabitants, and she
again comes and prays for her place,
her constitutional and stipulated place,
amongst the independent States of the
confederacy. Is the door opened and
does she enter? No. Why not? Con-
gress says to her, we have increased ike
ratio of representation to 10000, and
although you were fit two years ago, you
are not row.. Not because you have
changed, but because we have. And she
is turned away with a heart made sick
by hope deferred to seek such consolation
as they can find who feel that they have
no future. A formidable objection to The
admission of any new state without this
requisite population is alleged injustice
done to existing States. Whereas a Ter
ritory has but a delegate without a vote,
as State she would have representative
with a vote and a voice equal to that of
any other representative on the floor of
Congress. Even so. And this is preci-
sely what was contemplated when this
territory was acquired In 1903, and the
present temporary government was con
structed in 1854.
But for the purpose of fully under
standing the injustice done to existing
States, let US consider facts relative TO
representation. as they exist under the
apportionment made after the census Of
1850.
The ratio Of apportionment among the
several States was and is 93,423. By the
census Delaware showed a representa-
tive population of 90,616. She falls
short nearly 5000. although she is one
of the old thirteen. BY the same census
Florida is able to exhibit a population of
47,21l whites, and in all a representative
population of z 1920. She falls short
2I,703, and would surely not feel either
sensitive or sore if Nebraska had one re-
preventative with her. Still further, the
whole number of representatives is 233,
and the ratio of apportionment only fur
nishes 800, leaving Is to be assigned to
the States having the largest reslduary
fractions. By this assignment, Massa-
chusetts gets a representative for afrac-
ton of 60,204; Rhode Island one for
54,122; Pennsylvania one for 69,636;
Tennessee one for 66,G23; Kentucky one
for 57,205; Indiana one for 54,1S6; and
South Carolina one for AZ, 1893.
1t is reasonable TO say that amongst
these States, at least, the sense of injus-
tice would not be very acute nor lasting.
l think Iwronged them, one and all. when
l suffered myself to suppose. for n mo-
ment, that Nebraska could possibly be
rejected by their votes, merely because
her representative might not be able to
say, my constituents number not n less
than 93,423.
Here | leave the subject. l offer no
apology for occupying so much Of your
time with its investigation. l believe that
the people of the Territory, by a large
and decided majority, are in favor Of an
early State organization, and | am persu-
AIDED that oil their interests would be adj
vanced and increased Sin some thirty, in
some sixty, and in some one hundred
fold" if we were received into fellowship
with the States of the Union. We need
but cast our eyes from this Capitol east
ward and beyond a single river, to see
the difference between a dependent Ter
ritory and an independent State. 1t is
true the General Government is liberal,
and pays the expenses of our Territorial
machinery. But it is equally true that
we pay our full share of the taxes by
which the General Government is sus-
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