The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-04-01
A BETTER NAME.

The Tsrritoial press. as well as the
public generally, seem 10 be sdgocat-
ing the propriety Of selecting for our
proposed State, when the Constitution
is adopted, "a more strictly appropriate
State name than that which has been
attached To- US, not by our own choice,
~ Territory.
Under the above heading a CORES
poudent of the Tacoma n raid has this
Ia say on the subject
In anticipation of the meeting OF the
Territorial Convention. AMI the pos
sible change from Territorial to a
State organization at no distant day.
wish TO direct public attention TO sub
iect that was suggested to me by prom
inent member of the Pennsylvania bar
a shcrt time previously to my depar-
ture for this land of my hopes and
dreams. Being . gentleman OF highly
cultivated antiquarian and historical
tastes, a. well - of general literary cul-
ture, and withal having q high regard
for whatever is calculated to effect the
interests or the honor Of our common
country. he was particularly qualified
To speak intelligently and tittingly to
the point in question. He gave 1t as
his judgment that the name OF wash
ington was not desirable one for a
state. from the fact Of the name having
been already given to the National
Capital, which would render 1T neces-
sary to use the words estate Of In con-
nec,ion with it in order 10 distinguish
il from the city Of the same name. This
no thought was a sufficient objection to
render the name undesirable, and sug-
gested the proprIety Of endeavoring TO
find some euphonious Indian name,
that would at be once both suggestive
and attractive. 1t will be seen that
tho objection does not apply with equal
force 10 the name as territorial desig-
nation, rs it is customary to use the
word territory i'll connection with the
name of territory. which would be
awkward and cumbersome in the case
OF state. 1t may be remarked that
there il but one state in the Uuion TO
which the objection will apply, VIZ the
State Of New York.
ii is not claimed that this is matter
of the most vital importance, but il
would seem to be worthy of some con-
sideration, and tho present would seem
the proper time for its discussion.
While We would not agitate thii
question on the ground of any mere
esthe.ic OF euphonic considerations, sine,
by any other name the rose woulC
swell ss sweet )" yet for purely economic
motives We arc in favor OF adopting thu
change IL will make a difference boil
in the markets of our commodities anC
in the tide Of immigration into oul
State boundaries. to have our Stat,
named Columbia. That stately nam'
will. Of itself, give us certain charsc
ter and standing abroad. 1t certainly
IL appropriate, for to US belongs th'
great Columbia river more exclusivel,
than TO any other commonwealth.
As labor. saving expedient alone i
would be demanded, for " The State o
Washington" will be long title fol-
clerks to write and speakers to use
every time it would have to DO done.
There used TO be in fashion, abou
the time our Territory was organized
especially in tho south, whence the ma
jority of our Legislators then came, ,
habit Of MATCHMAKING piokaniunies VIII,
were beggars for names. by sort 0
,npercilious irony. after the bigges
public characters on the pages of his
iory; such rs Scipio. Caesar. Hannibal
Pompey. &c. This clubbing of young
territories, which are to grow into grea
States. in the same way. while it MAJ
seem the correct thing to members o
Congress, is not just 50 satisfactor,
To the peoples involved.