Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-05-24

WASHINGTON, May Is The following is
the Presidents message vetoing the Colora-
do Admission bill:
TO the Senate Of the United States:
return to the Senate, in which house 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 I
have been able to obtain, do not consider
Inc establishment of State Government at
present necessary for the welfare of the
people OF Colorado. Under the existing
territorial Government, all the rights,
p,lsneges' and interests of the citizens are
plo'eo'ea ana secured. The qualified voters
1nouso cneir own Legislatures and their own
ioe"i . ana are represented in Con-
gress by a.delegate of their own solect;or
They make and execute their own n,an;oiUai
laws, subject only to their revision hv Cen-
gress,-an authority not likely to he oyer
eised, unless in extreme or extraord;narv
cases. The population is small. some est;-
mating it so low as $4,000, while the advo-
Gates OF the bill reck on the number nj from
$4,000 to 100000 The people are priucipal-
ly 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, If circumstances shall render them
more Inviting. Sucn population cannot
but find relief from excessive taxation. if
the territorial system, which deyolves 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-
rlly incident to all newly organized commu-
mites.
Second 1t is not satisfactorily established
that majority of the citizens of Colorado
desire, or are prepared for, an exchange of
territorial for State govern ment In
September, 1864, under the authority of Con-
gress, an election was lawfully appointed
and held, for the purpose of ceItaining
the views OF the people upon this particular
question. 6,l92 votes were cast, and. of
TINS number, majority of 5,157. was given
against the proposed change. In Septem-
Der, 1860, without any legal auth ority, the
question was again presented to the people
OF the Territory, with the view of obtaining
reconsideration of the result OF the cleo
ton held In compliance with the act of Con-
gress approved March q, 1864 At this
second election B. 905 votes were polled, and
small majority of l55 was given in favor
OF State organization. 1t does not seem
to me entirely safe to permit this last men,
TONED result, SO lrregularly obtained to
outweigh the one winch had been legally
obtained In the first election. Regularity
and conformity to law are essential to 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, Ms State, into the Union appears to
me 20 be Incompatible with the public in
| terests OF the country While it is desira-
bic that Territories, when sufficiently ma
tured, should be organized as States, yet the
spirit Of the Comet tuition seems to REQUIRE
That there should be nn approximation to-
Ward equality among the several States
comprising the Union. No State can have
less or more than two Senators in Congress.
Ihe largest State has a population Of 4, 0U0,-
UOo; several other States have a population
exceeding 1000 900; and many others have
population exceeding 100000. If this
OIL should become law, the people of
Colorado, $4,000 in number, would
have, in the House of Representa-
tives, one member, while New York, with
population of 4 ,O0O 900, has but thirty one
Colorado would have, in the electoral col
lege, three votes, while New York has only
thirty-three. Colorado would nave, in the
Senate, two votes, while New York has no
more. inequalities of this chars cter have
already occurred, but it is believed none
have happened where the inequality was SO
great When such inequality has been al-
lowed, Congress is supposed to have per-
mltted 1t en- 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, living east
OF the Mississippi, their rapid advance in
| population rendered it certain that States
admitted with only one or two Representa-
tlves In Congress would, in very short
period, be entitled to great increase of
representation. So, when California was
admitted, on the ground of commercial and
political exigencies, it YVES 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 or
COMMERCIAL nature, requires departure
from the law of equality which has been SO
generally adhered to in our history. Ii 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 votes were cast.
At the election before mentioned, in 1864.
the number was 6,l92; while at the regular
election held in 1865, which is assumed for
basis OF legislative action at this time, the
| aggregate number of the votes was 5, 9O5.
Sincerely anxious for the welfare and pro-
sperity of every Territory and State, as well
as for the prosperity and welfare of the
whole Union, | regret this apparent decline
OF population in Colorado, but it is manifest
that it is due to emigration which is poing
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 q State, if desired by the
people.
The tenor of these objections furnishes
the reply which may be expected to an ar
gument IN favor Of the measure derived
from the enabling act which was passed by
Congress on the 2lst day of March, 1864.
Altnough Congress then supposed that tha