Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-25

me vlsvs Of Presidents Jehssss.
wAsRsxoros, May le.--The following 10
the Prsidsnfs message vetoing the Colorado
bill: s...a .,...as s z
10 rxs esrArrp THE Uarysp ssArn:--
I return 10 the Senate, In which II originated,
the bill which has passed both Houses Of
Congress entitled "An act for the admission
Of Colorado into the Union, with my objcc-
lions.
From the information which have been
abs to obtain, do not consider the estab-
lshment Of State Government at present,
necessary for the welfare Of the people Of
Colorado. Under the existing Territorial
Government all the rights, privileges and In
terests Of citizens are protected and secured.
The qualified voters choose their own Legis-
lstases and their ewn local officers, and are
represented In Congress by delegation Of
their own selection. They make and exc
cute their own municipal laws, subject only
to revision by Congress an authority not
likely to be exercised unless In extreme or
extraordinary cases.
The population Is small; some estimating
Il a. low ~ $4,000, while the advocates Of
the bill reckon the number at from $4,000 to
10000. Tho people are principally recent
settlers, many Of whom are understood to be
ready for removal to other mining districts
beyond the limits Of the Territory, If circum.
stances shall render them more inviting.
Such a population cannot but find relief
from excessive tasation, II the territorial sys-
tenn, devolves expenses of the Executive,
Legislative and Judicial Departments upon
the United States, is for the present contin-
ucd. They cannot but find the security of
person and property increased by their reli-
snce upon the National Executive power for
tho maintenance Of law and order against
the disturbances necessarily incident to all
newly organized communities.
SECONDLY. u il not satisfactorily estab-
lished that majority Of the citizens Of Col
orado DESIRE and are prepared for an ex-
change of a Territorial to q State Govern.
ment. In September, 1864, under the au-
.thority Of Congress, an election was held for
the purpose of sscertaining the views of the
people upon this particular question, 9,l92
votes were cast and Of this number major.
ity Of 3, lis was given against the proposed
change.
In September, 1866, without any legal
authority, the question was again presented
70 the people Of the territory, with view Of
obtaining reconsideration of the result Of
the election held In compliance with the act
Of Congress, approved March 81, 1864. Al
this second election 5,S04 votes were polled
and small majority Of 1855 was given in fa.
yor Of State organization.
1t does not seem to me entirely snfe "a
permit the last mentioned result, so irregu.
larly obtained, to outweigh tho one which
had been legally obtained. Regularity and
conformity to law are essential to the pr
walton of order and stable government
and should, as far as practicable, always b
observed in the formation Of new words.
THIRp. The admission of Colorado at THU
time as State into the Union appears to mt
70 be incompatible with the public interest.
Of the country. While it is desirable thai
Territories, when sufficiently matured, shoult
be organized as States, yet the spirit of tn.
constitution seems tn require that there should
be an approximation towards equality among
the several States comprising the Union. NJ
State can have less or more than two Sena
tors In Congress. The largest State has ,
population Of four millions several othe
States have population exceeding two mil
lions, and many others have q population
exceeding one million.
II this bill should become law, the pc o
pie of Colorado, thirty-thousand in number
would have in the House of Representative
one member, while new York, with popu
lation Of four millions, has but thirty-One
Colorado would have in the electoral col
lego three votes, while New York ha
only thirty-three. Colorado would have il
the Senate two votes, while New York la
no more.
Inequalities Of this character have alread,
occurred, but it Is believed none have hap
pened where the inequality was SO great
When such an inequality has been allowed
Congress is supposed to have permitted it o.
the ground Of some high public necessity
aud under circumstances which promise
that it would rapidly disappear through tn
growth and development Of newly admitte
State.
Thus, In regard to the several States !
what was formerly called the Northwei
Territory, lying east Of the Mississippi, the
rapid advance in population rendered it Gel
tain that States admitted with only ono {
two Representatives in Congress would in
very short pcriod-b entitled to great il
crease In representation. When Californ
was admitted on the ground of commerce.
and political exigencies 1t was well foresee
that that State was destined rapidly to b
come q great, prosperous and important con
mercial community.
In the case Of Colorado am not ava
that any national exigency, either of poll
zeal or commercial nature, requires depa
ture from the law Of equality, which h
been so generally adhered to In our histor
II the information submitted in connectit
with the bill is reliable, Colorado, instead
increasing, has declined In population.
an election Cor members fora Territorial lie
stature, held In 1861, l0,5s0 votes we
cast. At the election before mentioned
1864, the number was 6,l92, while at h
regular election, held in 1865, which is 4
sumed for basis Of legislative action at Il
time, the aggregate number Of votes W
5,905.
Sincerely anxious for the welfare a,
prosperity OF every Territory and State,
well as for the prosperity and happiness
the whole Union, l regret the apparent d
cline OF population in Colorado. But II
manifest it Is owing to emigration which
going on from that Territory into 9th,
within the United States, which are, in ia
or believed by the inhabitants Of Colorado
be, richer in mineral wealth and agricultul
resources. II, however, Colorado has n
really declined In population, another Gems,
or another election under authority of Co
gress would place the question beyond dou
and cause but little delay In the ultimate
osption OF the Territory as State if desr
by tho people.
The tenor of these objections ft,rnishe I
reply, which may DO repeated to an arg
uent In favor Of the measure, derived frt
the enabling act which VIVA naased hu o.