The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-05-23

THE COLORADO VETO.
WASHINGTON, May 16 Tho following is
the fresidents message vetoing the Colora-
do Admission bill:
To the Senate Of the United Sfafes:
return TO the Senate, in which house Il
originated, the bill which has "a ssed both
Houses OF Congress, entitled IAN ACT for the
admission Of the State Of Colorado int the
Union" with my objections to its becoming
. law At this time.
First. From the best information which I
have been able to obtain, do not consider
the establishment Of . State Government at
present necessary for the welfare Of the
people Of Colorado Under the existing
Territorial Government, all the rights,
privileges, and interests Of the citizens are
protected and secured. The qualified voters
choose their own Legislatures and their own
local officers, and are represented in Con-
gress by q delegate Of their own selection.
rhey make and execute their own municipal
laws, subject only to their revision by Con-
gress,-an authority not likely 10 be exer-
cised, unless in extreme or extraordinary
cases. The population Is small. some csti-
mating il so low IS $4,000, while the advo-
Gates Of the bill reckon the number at from
30, 900 to 10000. The people are principal
y recent settlers, many Of whom are under
stood to be ready TOR removal to other min
ing districts, beyond the limits Of the Ter
ritory, ii circumstances shall render them
more inviting. Sucn population cannot
but find relief from excessive taxation, if
the territorial system, which devolves the
expenses Of the executive, legislative and
judicial departments upon the United states,
| is for the present continued They cannot
but find the security of person and property
increased by their reliance upon the national
executive power for the maintenance of law
and order against the disturbances necessa-
riy incident to all newly organized oommu-
mites.
Second. It is not satisfactorily established
that majority Of the citizens Of Colorado
desire, or are prepared for, an exchange Of
q Territorial for State government. In
September, 1864, under the authority Of Con.
gress, an election was lawfully appointed
and held, for the purpose Of ascel taining
the views Of the people upon this particular
question. 6, 1872 votes were cast, and, Of
this number, majority Of 3,157 was given
against the proposed change In Septem.
Der. 1866, without any legal authority, the
question was again presented TO the people
Of the Territory, with the view Of obtaining
3 reconsideration Of the result OF the cleo
zion held in compliance with the act Of Con-
gress approved March q, 1864. Al this
second election 3, 9O5 votes were pollsd, aud
u small majority OF los was given in favor
OF State organic alton. 1t does not seem
to me entirely safe to permit this last men
toned result, SO irregularly obtained, to
outweigh the one which had been legally
obtained in the first election. Regularity
and conformity to law are essential 10 the
preservation OF order and stable govern
ment, and should, as far AS practicable,
always be observed in the formation Of new
States.
THIRD. The admission Of Colorado at this
time, ~ . State, into the Union appears to
me to be Incompatible with the public in
terests Of the country. While it il desira-
Die that Territories, when sufficiently ma
tured, should be organized IS S,ates, yet tho
spirit OF the Constitution seems 10 REQUIRE
that there should be IN approximation to-
ward equality among the several States
comprising the Union. No State can have
less or more than two Senator's in Congress.
The largest State has population OF .OuO,-
ooO; several other States have q population
exceeding 100000; and many O, hers have
population exceeding l,OUU,OOU. If this
biil should become a law, the people Of
Colorado, $4,000 in number, would
have, in the House OF Representa-
lives. one member, while New York, with q
population OF 600 900, has but thirty one.
Colorado would have, in the electoral col
lege, 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 occurred, but il is believed mono
have happened where the Inequality WAS so
great. When such inequality has Teen al
lowed, Congress is supposed to have per-
mitted 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 admitted State. Thus, IN regard TO
the several States in what was formerly
called the Northwest Territory, lying east
Of the Mississippi, their rapid advance in
!, population rendered it certain that States
admitted with only one or two Represents
tives in Congress would, in q very short
period, be entitled to q great increase Of
representation. So, when California was
: admitted, on the ground Of commercial and
political exigencles, it was well foreseen
that that State was destined rapidly to be-
> come great, prosperous, and important
mining and commercial community In the
case OF Colorado, am not aware that any
,, national exigency, either Of q political Of
commercial nature, requires q departure
from the law Of equality which has been 50
generally adhered 10 in our history. If in
formation submitted in connection with this
bill is reliable, Colorado, instead Of increas-
: ing, has declined in population. AT an
!, election for members Of . Territorial Legis-
lature, held in 1861, 10, $50 vo,es were cast
At the election before mentioned, in 1854,
the number was g, 1872; while at the regular
election held in 1866, which 10 assumed for
a basis of legislative action at this time, the
= aggregate number Of the votes was 5,9O6.
Sincerely anxious for the welfare and pro-
= sperity Of every Territory and State, as we'll
! rs for the prosperity and welfare of the
whole Union, regret this apparent decline
: Of population in Colorado, but it is manifest
. that 1t is due to emigration which is going
: on from that Territory into other regions
! within the United States, which either are
in fact, or are believed by the Inhabitants
, of Colorado to be, richer in mineral wealth
. and agricultural resources. If, however
Colorado has not really declined in popula.
! ton, another census, or another election
under the authority Of Congress. would place
the question beyond doubt. and cause but
little delay in the ultimate reception Of the
: Territory as State, II desired by the
|. people.