Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1875-09-03
IDAHO.

Interview No. 8.
fRichmoad Nnd.j Independently

s# = e4VsASS~SA -
about the workings Of territorial
government. l can conceive OF no
greater anomaly in 9 free government
than this Territorial system The plan
was originally intended as = q mere
temporary arrangement, and as was
expected, the first organized Terrific
ries soon became States, so that the
hardships of Territorial vassalage
were of short duration. But now,
where there are so many Territories
covering an area Of the country about
as large as the States, and when Con
gress has provided that none shall be
admitted as States, until having the
population requisite for representa-
ton in the House of Representatives,,
to wit: $4,000, it becomes evident
that the system in many cases, ceases
to be temporary and partakes largely
of the permanent, for it will take
many years for all these Territories to
become States under the new rule
adopted. In the meanwhile the peo-
pie of the Territories are wholly dis,
tranchised and held in sort of vassal-
age, wholly inconsistent with our
principles Of Democratic government.
The citizen Of Territory is with the
citizen of a State, equally interested
in all the great questions OF political
economy that can present themselves
for discussion and solution Tariffs,
revenues, internal improvements. APP
preparations, policies, foreign and do
nestle. and questions of peace and
war affect him equally with the citi
zens of New England. while in the
government Of the Indians, the man
agement Of the public land. the i'm
provcmcnt Of rivers, the construction
Of railroads, the regulation of mining.
and many other important questions,
the citizens of the Territories have n
deeper and more direct interest than
has the citizen Of the States. The
people Of the Territories are taxed for
the support OF the general government
precisely as are the people Of the
States, and are compelled 70 obey the
same laws. and are subject to the
same penalties Aud heing the SOFAS
and brothers Of the free men of the
States, certainly lose no rights by rca-
son Of blood. And having discarded
the lazy case and unproductivc con.
tcntment Of the old homes in the
States, and cnlistipg in the great ar
my Of pioneers, who, westward follow
the star of empire, plant the flag Of
their country in the valleys and on the
hill tops Of new lands toward tue set
ting sun, and certainly not less patri-
otto than their less adventurous broth
ers who are contcnicd to remain for.
ever within sight of the smoke that
curls from the chimney, in the corner
Of which they were born. And hav-
ing with brave hearts and brawny
arms, blazed the road for civilization,
opened the gates to the great store.
houses Of gold and silver, which sup.
ply the world, and added star after
star to the constellation Of States, are
surely not less deserving than they
who quietly enjoy the golden frnits of
all this labor. Yet, the people of the
the Territories are deprived of all
voice in national affairs and are not
allowed even free local government.
They have no vote for President, al
though the President exercises vast
executive power over them, ard ap-
points their local rulers. They have
no full representation in either branch
Of Congress, although that body i'm.
poses on them taxation, and cnacts