The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1867-03-02
TerritOrial Partition question.


ceive IN exchange, in a late issue devoted
some space to comments upon the scheme 70
divide up Washington and Idaho Territories
and form a new Territory out of the portions
of the two separated from the main bodies.
The Press suggests that fifth sscheme is to
be agitated further, the best course would be
to have a convention of delegates from Ore
gon and from Washington and Idaho Terri
tories to meet and come to some definite con-
clzsion upon the matter. It adds, however,
that after ali, nothing can be done without
the consent Of Oregonand Congress- So far
as pertains to that part of the scheme which
contemplates the partitionFof Oregon at the
Cascades range, and throwing all that vast
and valuable country, in that State east of
the Cascades lines, into the common parti-
ton scheme of the two Territories, the Press.
is correct in saying that Oregon as well as
Congress must give assent. But the scheme
to lop off Northern Idaho and Eastern Wash
ington, and to form asepaFate new Territory
out of the two portions, ought not: in justice,
to hang upon the will or action Of Oregon.
It belongs to the inhabitants of the Terrific
ries Immediately involved, and to- Congress
tossettle that question. saiasa 9s
We are among those who believe thatthere
oughtto be an entirely different Organization
Of the State and Territorial domain east of
the Cascades mountains. That portion of
Oregon this side of the mountains is alto
gether dissimilar to the country. west, COM
prising the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue
river valleys, and the Columbia river section,
and it oughtto be under . domestic govern
ment better adapted tod eEelcRsits resources,
supply its.wants, and push OF GROWTH
than the State Governmental Oregon is, or
eyercan becomes It Isl, like Eastern Wash
ington and all of Idaho, peculiarly fitted for
union or absorption with domestic govern
ment. suited to population and country
whose chief interests mining, so that the
local rulers will foster that important arm of
the general veal, and at the same time afford
every protection, assure every facility, and
offer every encouragement to agriculture,
and to traffic of all kinds. But the para
mount Importance of the mining interest
should never be lest sight of. Oregon, west
of the mountains, is essentially an agricul-
tural country, and her farmers and business
men. actually shape and control all her.iegis-
llation. The mining population are conpar-
Iatigely without representation; they are GER
tainlypowerless to help themselves, against
the rule of the rural community .Conse-
auently they are legislated for by man -Vul'e-
do not understand and will not learn the
wants and peculiar interests of mining COM
munities. The counties of Grant, Bakerand
Union have important mining interests.
Wasco and Umatilla have an identity of in
terest with them, and not one of them all has
any natural connection or identity with Ore
gon west, but only that which has been
forced by legislation and usage of, trade.
They are made to pay tribute to Portland,
when they could receive all their necessary
supplies direct from the East or San Fran
cisco, by way Of the Columbia river, without
ever requiring transApment at Portland and
double steaming to and from that city to
Oregon. And so could their great product
of treasure be shipped to San Francisco d.
rect,b the same medium, without Undergo
ing delay and extra charges at Portland.
But while we believe reorganization of
the whole country east of The Cascades, and
its formation under different local govern
ments, ought tosbe made, we are very sure
that so far as Oregon is concerned she will
never consent to the separation from her
bounds of the eastern counties, from which
she derives so large revenue, and to which
she dispenses such meagre returns. There
fore, we do not favor the project of delegates
from Oregon in a Convention to discuss what
shall be determined on as between Idaho and
Washington Territories. 1t would be too
much like having foe at feast. The Press
says it objects, in the most emphatic manner,
to the formation of the new Territory unless
its section be taken into it. But the Press
ought to consider that if it cannot be taken
along, that is no good reason why the scheme