The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-03

sometimes. .asssil it as an injustice, no party
has ventured to suggest interference with it.
Representation in the House, on the other
hand, is governed by numbers, and the ratio
established for existing States should not be
departed from to hasten the admission of any
Territory. The last proposition was to fix
the ratio at 1873, 200, but the prevalent feel
ing was in favor of larger number, aud
il is not improbable that 140, 900 or 150 900
will be the standard adopted for the new
apportioDment.
Neither the present ratio, then, nor the
ratio that is likely to be adopted, affords en-
couragement to those who plead for the adj
mission of any of the Territories. Not one
of them approaches the standard. New
Mexico, which has the largest population
say 80, O,0OO-is, on account of the character of
its population, least fitted for the responsible
lties of a State. Each of the others is iusig-
nifcant in numbers. Colorado, whose ad-
mission has been urged persistently, still
boasts of but 30, 900 people. Idaho has the
same. Montana has 10000; Wyoming,
g, 900; Dakota, Ii, 600; Washington, 10000
The territorial position will be for years to
come that which best BELTS their circum-
stances-unless, indeed, the growth of rail-
road facilities shall stimulate their settle
ment to degree unknown in the past. Fer
Colorado had more than 1000 three years
ago; Montana at the same time so, 600; Idaho,
20, 600; and Washington some thousands more
than it has to-day.
The fact that Oregon, admitted in 1859, had
in the following year population of only
81 465, and that Nevada, admitted in 1864,
had two years afterwards but 40, 900, does not
affect the merits of the case. In both in
stances admission was premature. Oregon
has, within the last decade, doubled its popu-
lation-speaking rouDdly-while Nevada is
Il IN
therefore, is at this moment qualified for
Federal representation, if-as in equity it
should be-the rule binding upon other
States were applied to them. Nebraska is
in the same category. In 1860 it had
2S,841; now it has 105, 900. Taking the ave-
rage of its increase, it could not have had
more than $4,000 when admitted in 1867.
What motives operated to produce the admis-
sion of these States we need not stop to con-
slider. If political, these motives were un-
wise; if vaguely liberal, they were uni ust to
other parts of the Union, and especially to
other new States, in regard to which a greater
respect for the ratio of representation
had been observed. Thus, Iowa, at
the period Of admission, could not have
had less than 100000; Wisconsin not less
than 250 000 Minnesota, 125, 900. These are
approximate estimates, of course, but they
are sufficient for our present purpose. They
show that the admission of Oregon and Ne
vada was exceptional, and does not consti-
tute precedent for action in reference to
Colorado and the remainder of the present
Territories. Even Kansas does not helm
them its population when admitted did not
fall far short Of 100, 600.
The matter is not one in regard to which
Congress can afferd to be Indifferent. There
may be powerful interests at work in favor OF
elevating Colorado or Montana to equality
with older States, but no local, or personal,
or partisan consideration should for an in
stant weigh against broader reasons of public
policy which govern the adjustment OF
representation, and determine the relative
power of States in regulating national legis
latlon,