Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-02-21
SATURDAY., FEBRUARY 81, 1868.
The Division Question.

There are two propositions awaiting the
action Of Congress in regard to the division of
Washington Territory. One introduced in
December last, for the creation Of the Terrific.
ry of idaho, to include the Salmon river gold
mines. The simple announcement is all that
has reached us, without any particulars as to
the boundaries of the proposed Territory. A
subsequent proposition, recommended by the
committee on Territories, is the erection of the
Territory OF Shoslonc, to be composed of that
portion of Washington Territory situated
south Of the 4e,h parallel, and the contiguous
portions of Utah, Decotah and Nebraska, OK
tending eastward beyond the Rocky Noun
tains. This recommendation must have been
made without due consideration, as it is not
made in accordance with the geographical
adaptability of the country. If the 4Gth par
allel is made the boundary line, we consider
the division no better than if it had not taken
place at all. 1t would still leave Washington
six hundred miles in length, extending from
the coast to the summit of the Rocky Noun
Tins, with two intervening ranges, and their
valleys Of varied adaptation; and our Eastern
population who have been the NEST clamor-
Gus for Territorial government Of their own,
would remain an integral portion of Washing
ton. If this is done, the same argument used
by members of the late Legislature would still
apply regarding the great distance to be trav-
eled to and from the Capita',,the route being,
as contemporary aptly expresses it, block
AIDED at that season Of the year by crushing
torrents, rock-bound shores, and impenctrable
fields Of leo and snow" This difficulty must
remain irsurmoun:ablc until something like
an equitable division is effected. The seat Of
government cannot be relocated at any point
which would not subject either one or the 9th
er, or beth, extremes to much serious incon-
venience and many hardsbips. The only
manner in Which the difficulty may be olivia
ted is in the formation Of a new Territory, with
the such boundaries as nature would seem to
indicate. With our extensive border Of coast
and inland sea, justice would establish that
line as far east as the 117th meridian, thus in.
GLIDING the fertile Walla Walla valley, and
giving us a share Of agricultural land to COM
prot with, and bring forth our other great re-
sources.
The whole matter can be summed up in few
words. Incompatibility of interest, the mac
feasibility of the public offices and records to
those residing in the extreme limits. and the
difference in the habits Of the people and pro-
gress Of the country demand such division.
While the one is composed Of the st aid farm
ing and manufacturing classes. the other is
transient population-emphatical,y a " fast"
people, requiring fast" legislation and fast"
rulers.
We do not. however, believe that the pro-
position of the committee on Territories will
meet with favor in Congress. 1t requires but
a glance at the map to satisfy anyone that such
action would not secure to either section the
benefits they expected to derive from
the proposed division. If Congress is al
lowed to fix the boundary, uninauenced by
Misrepresentation, it will not be at loss to
select tho most equitable line. If anything
is done in this matter by the present Congress.
We predict it will be to establish the Terrific
~ of idaho, with the western boundary on
the nth meridian.