The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-16
THE ETO MESSAGE.
President Johnson's Objections
to the Colorado Bill.
LACK OF SUFFICIENT POPULATION
URGED.
The Alleged Injustice to the Southern
States.
E,O.. Eto.. Etc.. Etc.. EtO.

~--~~~.~~>~~~->-~>---~------~~~-~~~
WASHINGTON, May 16 The following is the Pre-
tidenPs message on the Colorado bil:-
To the Senate Of the United Stdtes!-I return to
the Senate, in which House It originated tn bill
which has passed both Houses OF Congress, EMIT ed
AN for the admission OF the state OF Colorado
Dto the Unlon" with my objections to its becoming
First. From the best information which have
been able to obtain, DO not consider the estab ish
ment of State government at present necessary tor
the welfare OF the people in Colorado. Under the
existing Territorial government all the rights prl-
vIleges, and interests of the citizens are protected
and secured: ihe qualified M voters choose their own
} esented In Congress by delegate OF their own
, election. They make and execute their own muni-
cipa laws, subject only 70 revision by ConRres'-an
authority not likely 70 be exercised unless in ex-
treme or extraordinary cases. The population IS
small some estimating it so low twenty five tn lu-
sand while advocates of the bill rec Kon the number
at from thrty-fve thousand to forty thousand souls
lhe people principally recent settlers, many of
whom are understood to be ready tor removal to
other mining districts beyond the limits OF the Terri
tory il circumstances shall render them more invi-
ting. such q population cannot but find relief from
excessive taxaion If the Territorial system, which
devolves the expenses of the Executive Legislative,
and Judicial Departments upon the United Sate", IS
for the present continued, they cannot but find the
security of person and property increased by their
reliance upon the National Executive power tor the
maintenance of Ia and order against the disturb
aDces necessarily incident to all newly organized
Second. 1t is not satisfactorily established that
majority the citizens of Colorado desIre, or are
prepared for an exchange OF Territorial for State
Government. In september, 1854 under the autho-
rty of Congress, an election lawfully appointed
and held Tor the purpose of ascertanng the views OF
the people upon this particular question; 6l92
votes were cast, and of tbs number majority
of 1852 was given AGAINST the proposed change.
In September, 1866, without any LEGAL an.
thOnty, the quesuon was again presented
TO the people OF the Territory, with the view
OF obtaining reconsideration OF the result
of the election held in compliance with the act of
Congress approved March Il, 1854 At this second
wei N n ms ity nf
loo was given in ayor OF State organization. 1t
does not seem to me entirely safe to this last
clent to overweight the one which had been
legally obtained IN the first election. Regularity and
conformity law essential to the eservation or
order and table Government, anu should, as far
as practicable, always be observed IN the formation
OF new States
a Sta'e INTO the Federal Union appsars to me to be
incompatible with the public interest of the counrY
and while il il desirable that Territories when sui
cientlv matured should BE- organized as States vet
tine spirit OF the Constitution TO require that
there should 6e an app foximahon GowarGs equality
among the several States comprising the Union No
State can have less or more than two Senators IN
CONGRESS. The largest State has population OF four
millions; several OF the states have popu alton
ceeding two millions, and many others have a popu-
lalion ex ceeding one million.
II this bill should become law the people of
Colorado, thirty thousand in number, would have in
the House of Representatives one member while
New York with population OF four millions. has
but tmrty-one. Colora would have IN the Eec.
toral 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 is believed that none have happened
where the inequality was so great.
When such inequality has been allowed, Congress
is supposed to have permitted 1t on the ground or
some high public necessity and under circumstances
which promised that 1t would rapidly disappear
through the growth and development the newly
adm ted State. Thus, In regard to the several
States in what was formerly called the Northwest
advancement III population rendered it certain
that States admitted with only one or two re.
pTesen atives in Congress would in a very short
period entitled to great increase of representa-
tion. So, when California was admitted on the
ground of commercial and political exigencies it
was well foreseeD that that State destined rapidly
to become a great, prosperous, and important min.
ing ana commercial community. In the case OF Co
lOrauo am not aware that any national exigency,
either OF political or commerclal nature, requires
a departure from the law OF equality which has been
generally adhered to in our history.
TfIntormaton submitted in connection with this
bill is reliable. Colorado instead of increasing, has
declined in population. AT an election tor mem oers
of Territorial Legislature held IN 1861 $3.50 votes
were cast. AT the election before mentioned, in
1864 the number Ofvotes cast 6l92 while at the
irregular election, held 1865, which is assumed as
basis for legislative action at this time, the aggre
gate ofvotes cast was 59O6
Sincerely anxious for the welfare and prosperity
of every Territory and State, as well for the
Ierty and welfare of the whole Union, regret this
apparent decline OF population in CooTadO but 1t IS
manifest that it 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 be-
leVed by the inhabitants OF Colorado 10 be- richer
mineral wealth and agricultural resources. IT, how.
ever Colorado has not really declined in population,
another census, or another election under the au-
thOrty of Congress would place the question beyond
doubt and cause but little delay in the ultimate adj
mission OF the Territory as State, If desired by the
people. bid. ..
The tenor Of these objections furnishes the reply
Which may be expected 10 an argument in favor of
the measure derived from The Enabling act which
was passen by Congress on the 2lst day of March,
1864, although Congress then supposed that the
dluOn of the Territory such to warrant It's
admission as a State The result OF the two years
experience shows that every reason which existed
Tor 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 moment is calculated to inspire
caution in regard TO the admission OF new States.
Eleven OF the o d States have been for some time,
and still main unrepresented in Congress.
1t is a common interest of all the States as well
those represented as those unrepresented that the
integrity and harmony of the Union should be re-
stored as completely as possible so that all those
who are expected TO bear the burdens or the Fed
raj Government shall be consulted concerning the
admission OF new States; that in the meantime no
STATE shall be prematurely and unnecessarily ad.
mtted to participation in the poht cal power which
the Federal Government wields. not for the benefit
OF any individual State or section but Tor the
mon safety, welfare, and happiness OF the whole
country ANDREW JOHNSON
WASH INoToN, D c., May Is, 1866