The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-12-02

County and City Official Press.
Saturday, December 2.
A STATE CONSTITUTION.

From the returns 20 far as received
there is fair probability that the prop
osiiiea for calling a state constitutional
convention has been adopted Clarke
county gavs a majority oftwenty eight
against 1t and possibly other 81 the
counties along the Columbia vote ad-
versely. The bulk Of the vote on tho
Sound. however, was polled in its favor
with such unanimity as doubtless 10
oyerbear all the opposition that was
brought TO bear against Il IN the sec
tions most directly an ler The sway Of
Oregon inilasnce.
II cannot be said that this step is pre-
mature. The vote p0lled this year in
thirteen counties, whose full vote has
been received. was 1918 The vote Of
the remaining eleven counties two years
ago was 2.43i. Allowing gain Of on
liz 81 votes in these eleven counties for
the two years which j. not unFeasona-
bic. would give us vote of 10000
That Of the newly admitted State #
Colorado Is reported at only / 800. or
but little greater than ours Besides,
rs great bodies move slowly and there 5
many slip betwixt the cap and
the lip. it may be several years
before the TRANSFORMATION from q
Territory into State can be con
sumuatod II will be nearly year be.
fore tho legislature eonvenes. Il will
dcyolve upon that body to arrange the
details Of time, place ard method for
the assembling Of Convention After
ward the delegates must bo elected
must assemble ard frame c5nstitu-
ton. THIS constitution must be voted
upon by the pcoplc and ratified OF re-
jeeted II approved, the Ia pie must
also elect theie Representative and sen
satr.. and If ~ prior enabling act =
passed must make application for an
act Of Congress authorizing tue admis-
sion OF the State iuio tb3 Uiiln. IL
all goes smoothly, and 10 checks ,r
delays are encountered, tho business
cannot possibly be carried through an
I'll after tho next bienrial election or
somewh here IN 1870. By that tine il
ih, most reasonable hopes are not dis
appointed, the Territory will not lack
much of having sufficient popala-
ton tn carry on a State Government.
Among some of the Incidental a.
vantages of Statehood may Ice men
tened the fact that we would then
come into possession Of five hundred
thousand acres OF land for purposes OF
internal improvement. also Of all the
swamp and oyer-tlowed lands. which
experience has demonstrated to be the
richest of Ill. and likewise OF about
three million acres Of lands for the len
eht OF the school fant. Year 10y year,
as We continue in state of Territorial
vassalage. tho best lands are absorbed
AMI tho purchase price is distracted
from the meagre exchequer uf cur pio
necr communities into the vaults at the
government. instead Of being applied &c
the maintenance If local institutions
and enterprise aud retained In ciroula-
ton. There is also considerable AREA,
Of appropriations for river amd harbor
improvements AMI IA all of cur rail
roads aud canals which Congress ought
10 have made hut has not done. and prob
ably never will until demanded by oui
fall Congressional delegation, clothes
with plcnary powers as members o.
that body