The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-29

Wisconsin,. ...,....lSiS 706S0 25g4g7
California. ......"lS50 70,6S0 02507
Oregon .......,.."..l85S 63,492 1850
Minnesota".."......,.lS5S 03402 l3S909
Kansas, as,......,.......,..l86l 03492 107 206
West Nirginia......lS62 a3492 34962S
NeVada....., ....... 1864 l2,700 Not known.
Sin 1850.
Colorado which it is now proposed to admit
as state, claims as has already been stated a
population less than twenty-eight thousand,
while the present ratio Of representation is one
hundred and twenty-seven thousand. There
can be no reason that can perceive for the adj
equal force to nearly every other territory
organized, and 1 submit whether, If this bill
becomes law, IL VIII be possible TO resist the
logical conclusion that such Territories as Da-
Gotta, Montana and Idaho must be received as
States whenever they present themselves, with
out regard TO the number of inhabitants they
may respectively contain, Eight or ten new
Senators and four or five Representatives would
thus be admitted TO represent a population
scarcely exceeding that which, in any other
member OF the House of Representatives.
while average for Two Senators in the Union
as now constituted, is at least one million OF
1t would surely he unjust to all other sections
ofthe Union to enter upon policy with regard
10 the admission of new States, which might
result IN conierr1ng such dlsproportionate
share of influence in the national legislature
upon communities which, In pursuance OF the
wise policy of our fathers, should for some
years TO come be retain ed under the fostering
care and protection Of the national Govern
ment, If 1t is deemed just and eXpedient now
TO depart from the settled policy OF the nation
during all Its history, and to admit all the Ter
ritories to the rights and privileges of States,
irrespective of their population or fitness for
such government, it is submitted whether it
will bring the subject before the country for
consideration and decision.
This would seem to be evidently wise, be-
cause as has already been stated, If IL is right to
admit Colorado now there is no reason for the
exclusion of the other territories 1t is no an
swer to these suggestions that an enabling act
was passed authorizing the people of Colorado
to take action on this subject. II is well known
that that act was passed in consequence OF re-
presentations that the population reached ac-
cOrding TO some statements, as high eighty
thousand, and to none less than fifty thousand,
and was growing with rapdtty which, by the
time the admission could be consummated,
would secure population of over hundred
These representations prove to have been
wholly fallacious, and in addition, the people
of the Territory, by deliberate vote, decided
that they would not assume the responsibility
ofa State government. BY that decision they
entirely exhausted all power that was con-
ferred by the enabling act, and there has been
no step taken since in relation to the admis-
sion that has had the slightest sanction or war
rant of law The proceedings upon which the
present application is based was IN the utter
absence of all law in relation to it, and there
is no evidence that the votes on the question
of the formation of a State government bear
any relation whatever to the sentiment of the
Territory. The protest of the House of Repre-
sentatlves previously quoted is conclusive evi.
dence to the contrary.
But if none of these reasons existed against
this proposed enactment, the bill itself, besides
being inconsistent in its provisions in confer
and who may not have legal existence, is so
framed TO render its execution almost inn
possible. 1t is indeed, question whether 1t is
not in itself nullity TO say the least, IL is of
exceedingly doubtful proprlety to confer the
power proposed in the bill upon the "Governor
elect" for as by its own terms the Constitution
is not to take effect until after the admission of
the state, he, in the meantime, has no more au-
thority than any other private citizen, But even
supposing him to be clothed with sufficient au-
thority to convene the Legislature, what consti-
tutes the state Legislature" to which is TO be
referred the question of the conditions imposed
by Congress? Is it new bedy to be elected and
convened by proclamation of the Governor
elect, or is IL that body which met more than
year ago under the provisions of the State Con-
Stitution? BY reference to the secoud section
of the schedule and TO the eighteenth section of
the fourth article OF the State Constitution, it
will be seen that the term of the members of the
House of Representatives and that of one-halt
of the members of the Senate expired on the
first Monday OF the present month II is clear
that If there no intrinsic objections to the
bill itself in relation to the purposes TO be ac-
complished this objection would be fatal, as it
ton OF the bill to admit Colorado have reference
to period and state of facts entirely different
from the present and affairs as they now exist,
and If carried into effect must necessarily lead
into confusion. ..
new body was to act, IL would be found imprac-
ticable to execute the law, because consider
able number OF the members, as am informed,
have ceased to beresidents of the Territory, and
in the sixty days within which the Legislature
is to be convened after the passage OF the act
there would not be sutfici ent time TO fill the
vacancies by new elections, We're there any au-
| thorty under which they could be held. 1t may
| not be improper to add that If the proceedings
| were all regular and the result to be obtained
| were desirable simple justice to the people of
| the Territory would require longer period
| than sixty days within which to obtain action
! on the conditions proposed by the third section
| of the bill.
There are, as it is well known, large portions
| of the Territory with which there is and can be
no general communication, there being several
| counties which, from November to May can
| only be reached by persons travelling on foot,
| while with other regions of the Territory occu-
| pied by large portion OF the population, there
! is very little more freedom of access. Thus If
| this bill should become law, it would be inn
! practicable to obtain any expression of public
| view TO enlighten the Legislature II the old
! body were called together, and, of course,
! equally impracticable TO procure the election OF
| q new body.
! This defect might have been remedled by an
! extension Of the time and a submission of the
question to the people, with a full opportunity
| 10 enable them to express their sentiments.
! The admission of new State has generally
! been regarded as an epoch in our history, but
! after the most careful and anxious inquiry on
the subject, l cannot perceive that the pro-
! posed proceeding is in conformity with the
| policy which, from the origin of the Govern
! ment, has uniformly prevailed in the admis-
! sion of new States. l therefore return the bill
! to the Senate without my signature.
(Sgned) ANDREW JOHNSON
! Washington, Jan. 2S 1867.
|
! The Bedford Inquirer has the foll0wng:-
] H. a.,