Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-21
Letter from Washington.
[FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. IS, 1871
NEW sTATEs-NEW MEXICO.

NEW STATESMEN MEXICO.
Whether there is likely to be anything done
or not this session at congress, the effort is be-
| ing made with some vigor to secure the admis
sion of two, if not three, new states. They are
Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. l doubt il
the latter yet has American population enough
TO press the matter with energy. There are
more people in Utah territory, than were in any
state organized in the same way, unless it be
| Minnesota and Kansas. The former had pop
ulation of 81 $685. the latter one of 107 ,206 Ne
vada had, according to the last census, only
1851 persons, and she was admitted in 1862.
census, published by the bureau, the
population of New Mexico in June last
was 92169. Utah has Il population of
1894. In all the elements of wealth. and even
of progress, the last territory is worth twice as
much as the first. This, too, in spite of the
Mormon theocracy. The Mexican politicians in
New Mexico are probably either Indifferent or
actively hostile, because now they can control,
and under a state they cannot, at least for any
length of time. So far the territory is no credit
to them or to us. 1t is not more than two
years, | believe, since the popular vote rejected
measure establishing free schools. They de-
clned to be taxed for that purpose There are
only three such schools in the territory,
aud they are sectarian, being under
the control of the Sisters of Charity. There
is a bill pending, and now in the house commit
tee on territories, providing for the erection of
state, to be called Lincoln. The Mexcans dis
like this, and the change of name will strongly
prejudice the movement. THE admission of
New Mexico is not likely to be pressed in this
congress.
UTAH AND COLORADO.
Singular as it may seem, the Mormons them
selves appear to be DESTROYS of obtaining an en-
ablng act, even though there be inserted an
anti-polygamy condition precedent. Captain
Hooper, the delegate, is shrewd and seryiceable
agent, being a pleasant and sociable person,
with considerable good-felowship and certain
dry wit which has quaint flavor, half business
and half theologic, as becomes the representa-
tive of the most remarkable theocratic organiza-
ton of these latter days, one that combines
business success with missionary zeal in re-
markable proportions. He is, with all these
traits, quite a favorite, as well as q curiosity.
Besides, he has been here so long that he knows
all the ways that are dark and the tricks that
are vain" or not, as the case may he. He
has Oaly one thing to attend to, and
that is Brigham Young's interest. And, as it is
that OF his people, from Mormon point of
view, he does it well. In fact Hooper is, think,
an excellent type of the worldly-wise zeaot. He
is too much so to be a fanatic. But as to a state
organization, the reason for the Mormon desire
therefor is probably found in the plea of the
audacious Gentle who is contesting Hoopers
seat. The latter got $4,000 majority, the former
400 votes in all. His plea is that free election
cannot be held in Utah. But truer plea will
be that follow my leader" has been organized
into power thereabouts, and the Mormon hier-
archy believes that under the forms of a state it
can more than hold its own. 1t seems TO
be pretty certain that its control of the terri
torial organization is to be broken
up. A little of the sort Of disintegration viii h
might follow an enforcement of the laws, the
collection of taxes, the rigid application of the
homestead principle to the lands, might have a
much more disastrous effect than admission as
a state, with the certainty that the popular vote,
so called, will put those into power as govern
or, congressman, senators, ETC., it may be the
will of the Mormon hierarchy to indicate and
work for. With population of at least $4,000
out of the $4,000 and more there living, gener-
ally subservient TO their policy, with so great a
control of all the wealth producing machinery,
and with effective missionary machinery at
their command wherewith to recruit their
ranks, it is not at all improbable
that they can more effectually maintain
their hold on Utah, as state, than
is possible in its present condition. Be-
sides railroads and mining, may through
their capacity for organization be made more
useful TO them than to the Gentiles. AS
Brother Hooper might appropriately say,
"He maketh the wrath of man to praise him."
don't think there is much chance for the pas
sage Of the enabling act, though the Pacific
coast people and the Pacific railroad interests are
understood to be heartily aiding the Mormon
wishes. presume the railroads desire 10 add