Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-05-24
Message from the President-Veto Of the Bill Ad.
mitting Colorado a State.
To The Senate of Ale United States:

mitting Colorado a State.
To The Senate oflhe United States ag
return to the Senate, in which it originated,
the bill which has passed both Houses of Congress,
entitled San act for the admission of the State of
Colorado into the Union," with my objections to
its becoming a law at this time.
First From the best information which have
been able to obtain, do not consider the estah-s
ment of State government at the present neces-
sary for the welfare of the people of Colorado
Under the existing territorial government, all the
rights, privileges, and interests of the citizens
protected and secured The qualified voters choose
their own legislators and their own local officers,
and are represented in Congress by delegate of
their own selection. They make and execute their
own municipal laws, subject only to revision of
Congress-an authority not likely to be exercised
unless in extreme or extraordinary cases. The
population is small some estimating it SO lCw as
twenty five thousand, while advocates of the bill
reckon the number at from thirty-five thousand to
forty thousand souls The people are principally
recent settlers, many of whom are understood to
be ready for removal to other mining districts be-
yond the limits of the territory if circumstances
shall render them more inviting. Such popula-
ton cannot but find relief from excessive taxation
if the territorial system, which devolves the ex-
pense of the executive Legislative and judicial de-
partments upon the United States, is for the pre-
sent continued. They cannot but find the securi-
ty OF person and property increased by their rel-
ance upon the national executive power for the
maintenance of law and order against the disturb
ances necessarily incident to all newly-organized
communities.
Second. It is not satisfactorily established that
majority of the citizens of Colorado desire or are
prepared for exchange of Territorial for a
State government. In September, 1864, under
the authority of Congress, an election was lawfully
appointed and held for the purpose of ascertain
ing the views of the people upon that particular
question. Six thousand one hundred and ninety
two votes were cast, and of this number maiori-
ty of 3, 1872 given against the proposed change.
In September, 1865 without any legal authority,
the question was again presented to the people of
the Territory with the view of obtaining a recon-
sderaiOn of the result of the election held in COM
piance with the act of Congress approved March
d. 1864 At this second election 1905 votes were
polleds and majority of 155 was given in favor of
State organization. 1t does not seem to me en-
trey safe to receive this aforementioned result so
one which had been legally obtained in the first
election. Regularity and conformity to law
essential to the preservation of order and stable
government, and should, far as practicable,
always be observed in the formation of new
States.
Third The admission of Colorado at this time
as a State into the Federal Union appears to me
to be incompatible with the public interests of
the country. While it is desired that territories
sufficiently matured should be organized as States,
yet the spirit of the Constitution to require
that there should be an approximation towards
equality among the several States comprising the
Union. No State can have more than two Sena
tors in Congress the largest State has popula-
tion of four Millions several of the States have
population exceeding two millions, and many
others have population exceeding million.
A population of one hundred and twenty-seven
thousand is the ratio of apportionment of repre-
sentatives among the several States. If this bill
should become law, the people of Colorado,
thirty thousand in number, would have in the
House of Representatives member, while New
York, with population of four millions, has but
thirty-one Colorado would have in the electoral
college three votes, while New York has only
thirty three. Colorado would have in the Senate
two votes while New York has no more.
Inequalities of this character have already oc-
CURED, but it is believed that none have happen
ed where the inequality great. When such
inequality has been allowed, Congress is supposed
| to have permitted it on the ground of some high
public necessity, and under circumstances which
promised that it would rapidly disappear through
| the growth and development of the newly admit
ted State. Thus in regard to the several States
in what was formerly called the Northwest Ter
rtory" lying east of the Mississippi, their rapid
| advancement in population rendered it certain
| that States admitted with only one or two repre-.
sentatives in Congress would in q very short pc
rod be entitled to great increase OF representa-
| ton. So, when California admitted on the
ground of commercial and political exigencies, il
was we'll foreseen that that State destined rap
commercial community In the case of Colorado,
am not aware that any rational exigency, eitheE
of political or commercial nature requires de-
partlre from the law of equality, which has been
so generally adhered to in our history.
| If information submitted in connection with
this bill is reliable Colorado, instead of increas-
ing, has declined in population. At an election
for members of Territorial Legislature, held in
1861, ten thousand five hundred and eighty votes
were cast. At the election before mentioned, in
1864 the number of votes cast was six thousand
one hundred and ninety-two; while at the irregu-
ler election held in 1865, which is assumed as a
basis for legislative action at this tme the aggre-
gate Of votes was five thousand nine hundred and
five. Sincerely anxious for the prosperity and
welfare of every Territory and State, we'll as
for the prosperity and welfare of the whole Union,
7 regret this apparent decline of population in
Colorado but manifest that it is due to emgra-
ton which going out from that Territory into 9th
er regions within the United States, which either
are in fact, or believed by the inhabitants of
Colorado to be richer in mineral wealth and agri-
cultural resources. IT. however, Colorado has not
really declined in population, another census or
another election under the authority of Congress
would place the question beyond all doubt, and
cause but little delay in the ultimate admission of
of the Territory a State, if desired by the peo-
pie The tenor of these objections furnishes the
reply which may be expected to an argument in
favor of the measure, derived from the enabling
act which was passed by Congress on the 21st day
of March, 1864. Although Congress then sup
posed that the condition of the Territory was such
as to warrant it's admission as State the result
of two years experience shows that every reason
which existed for the institution of Territorial
instead of State government in Colorado at its
| first organization still continues in force.
The condition of the Union at the present mo.
ment is calculated to inspire caution in regard to
the omission of new States. Eleven of the old
States have been for some time and still remain
| lnrepresented in Congress. 1t is a common in
terest of all the States as well those represented
as those unrepresented, that the integrity arr