The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-01-03
Official Press Of King County
Thursday, January 8. 1878
COLD WATER.

The Alta Of the oath ult. throws the
following dash of cold water on the ef-
forts of our Territory to gain admission
into the sisterhood of States:
Delegate Jacobs has introduced .
bill for an enabling act to permit or
authorize the people Of Washington
Territory to form State Constitution
aud Government II is doubtful if any
such bill can pass. because the Terri
tory does not possess the requisite pop
nlstion, perhaps not half. and it may
he less, than is required by law. There
is 10 such necessity for the admission
Of new States as existed at the time
when Nevada was born somewhat after
the manner of Caesar Yet We should
be pleased to see Washington Territory
erected into State. 1t would at once
act as All incentive to immigrants. II
would strengthen the coast in adding
two Senators TO Congress, and give this
side Of the Continent a representation
of eight instead of six. That Washing
ton Territory possesses the natural adj
vantages required to make her, at
some future day great, rich aud popu-
lOus State, there is no room to doubt.
In some respects she is superior to any
other portion of the Union. She pos
sesses advantages for ship building
wooden ships beyond that of any
other portion of the Union. But I'M
fortunately her possibilities have been
only partially developed, and Congress
not over-wise. may overlook all that
may be in its inquiry ss to what she is
and how many human heads she may
contain"
The Alta is probably unaware Of the
great accessions to the eastern portion
Of this Territory during the past year.
or it would not speak as it does. During
the six months ending on the 3lst Of
December. it is believed that the coun-
ties of Whitman, Columbia, Yakima,
Stevens and Walla Walla gained not
less than ten thousand people. Even
the vote Of 1876 established the belief
that Washington had at that time more
people than either Oregon or Colorado
ut the time of their admission. The
Alta does US justice in its reference to
our ship building. interests. but over
looks many other important branches
of industry which go to build up q
State. King county alone, shipped du-
ring the past year, over 90. 900 tons of
coal to San Francisco. more than the
total product Of Oregon and California
combined Two counties of Washing
ton Territory. Walla Walls and Colum-
hia, shipped $4,000 tons OF grain and
hour. Gil grown in 1877, during the
past year. and have probably one-third
- much more on hand. by reason of the
navigation of the Columbia river being
s6loscd by ice; two counties in Puget
Sound Snohomish and Whatcom -
have shipped over 1000 tons Of oats
and barley to San Francisco. their pro-
duct for 1877, which is only their thru
year of grain culture; four counties
Snohomisb, Wahkiahkum, Pacific and
Cowlitz, have exported 100000 cases
OF canned salmon during the year
which has just closed; and Pierce coun-
ty alone has exported over two hun
dred tons Of hops. Add to these pro.
duets the lumber, water-pipe, wool,
hides. potatoes. bacon aud oil, aud it
will be seen tina. our exports are very
heavy. In three years the Seattle and
Walla Walla Railroad will be extended
not less than seventy miles hence, and
we shall be shipping at leas, lo0. 900
tons of pig iron per year.
We ship California more lumber than
she can use, besides furnishing cargoss
for South America, Australia and Poly.
nesia. We exported more grain last
year than California exported until
after she had been admitted 10 the
Union eight years; We exported more
coal last year from King and Whatcom
counties alons than California has pro-
dnced IN any two years Of her exist
ence as State; and the fastest voyage
on record, between the Pacific coast
and the United Kingdom. was made by
aWashington Territory ship-the Wild
wood. Ali these are signal proofs o:
our advanced condition as an industri-
Gus and energetic people.
All States admitted since 1858 have
been admitted only through partisan
legislation in Congress. The cause Of
Democracy was declining in 1855. when
Oregon was admitted to give that party
two more Senators on the floor, 10 CD
pose the Republicans. In years later,
in order to strengthen the arm of the
Government, then engaged in . great
struggle for nationality. Nevada was
admitted by . Republican Congress.
with probably ten thousand less people
than Washington Territory has to-day;
and Colorado would not have been sd-
mitted but for the iron rod with which
the Republicans ruled the Senate in the
closing days of Grants second term.
Therefore. We say that the admission
Of States has bsen of late wears ra.1u-