Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-12-06


The San Francisco Bulletin, in speak
ing of the probable admission of Wash
ington territory as a state, says that ac-
cording to census made last Spring by
the assessors of the severa! counties 10
the territory Washington contained a
population Of 81, 1888, which has proba.
bly, been increased by immigration to
$1,000. This, though "a moiety of the
population requisite for a representative
IN Congress in the larger states from
which several representatives are chosen,
Is as great as was the population of Ne
braska or Colorado at the time these
states were admitted. by which acts
Congress established the precedent that
1t is not necessary for new state to
contain the full number Of inhabitants
liked as the basis of representation un-
der existing apportionment laws.
But the new states which have been
organized and admitted to the Union
during the past quarter Of century
have been so organized and admitted
more from political considerations than
those based upon their population; and
considering the present status Of the
proposed new state, which has Just
elected Republican delegate to Con-
gress, and has shown Republican pre-
poudeiance in the choice of county
officers, the prospects are not nstter,ng
for It's admission into the Union by a
Democratic Congress. The result Of
its admission would undoubtedly be to
add one Republican member to the
house and two Republican senators to
the upper house, in which the Demo
Gratis will boast majority of twelve
after the 18th Of March next. The
Democrats now controlling the House Of
Representatives will be enabled to keep
the new state ont during the life Of the
Forty fifth Congress, and controlling
the senate Of the Forty-sixth, can con-
tiuue the exclusion for at least two
years longer, or until after the next
presidential election.
But whether Immediately admitted
into the Union as Il state or held in
suspense for several years, there can bt
no doubt that the action Of the people
of the territory in framing and adopt
ing IA state constitution, aud in asking
admission, will be greatly beneficial tC
them. There will most likely be a con
test over the question OF admission il
Congress, and much discussion Of ,h,
subject throughout the country, all o
which will serve to direct attention Il
the territory and faniliarze the publ,
at large with its resources and genera
attractions, thus operating to invite i'm
migration thitherward. Among tn.
masses east of the mountains and il
Europo but little is known Of the fer
tiilty OF the soil, that geniality Of th
climate, and the varied resources Of til,
region hitherto supposed to be wilder
ness inhabited only By savages and wilt
beasts. When it shall appear that tn
territory already contains a white pop
ulation of upwards Of $4,000, which i
increasing at the rate Of 10, 900 year
when the reports Of its vast products Q
timber aud lumber, Of grain and cattle
Of furs and fish become geuerall'
known, as they will through the medium
of the discussion invited by the appli
cation for admission as state, anc
when the world shall be advised tha
the climate 50 far from being hyperbo
reau, is less trying than that Of th
middle states, while the soil is equal,
fertile, aud admirably adapted either t
grazing or grain growing, it is safe t
predict that there will he rapid inhu,
of population, which viii very sool
place the embryo state, in point of POP
ulatlon, much above the requirement.
of the most exacting stiekler tor precis
quotas for representation, and beyonr
The righ'ful power Of Congress TO re
fuse its admission as state on merel
political grounds.