Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-06-07
Reasons for q state.

Golden Era contains an article over |
the signature of "Washinctonian,"
which gives the true phase of the State
question for Washington. We publish |
the article as follows:
son the 9th of April an election was
held in our Northern nelyhbor. Wash.
ington Territory, for the purpose of
electing delegates to the Constitutional
Convention to be held at Wal,a Walla.
in the Eastern portion of the Territory,
in June. In the matter of the selection
Of delegates party lines were rot drawn
aud political feeling did not run very
strong except in one Or two localities.
though two sets of candidates were
voted for. This apparent indifference
may be ascrlbed to variety Of causes,
the principal one being desire to have
good men i'll the Convention, and wide
spread feeling that the move was prema.
tnre and certain to prove failure
Whatever was the true cause, the result
was the election Ct an exceptionally
good set OF men for the duty they have
in hand. The discussion of this subject
is, perhaps, of more interest and import
ance to the citizens of that locality than
to other people; but in some respects it
has peculiar interest to the country at
large. Numerous attempts have been
made there during the past few years to
induce the people to vote yea. on the
Constitutional Convention question, hut
it was uniformly ncgativcd, as there was
strong odor of "ring" and United
State Senate in it. There is good
deal Of the latter aspiration in tie pres.
ent move. but the people generally we're
Inclined to over ook. If not tacily en-.
d@rsc, anything of this kind. 10 consd-
GRAFTON of the advantages that will nat.
urally follow the admission of Washing
ton to the great sisterhood Of States.
Ever since Webster came near tr,dinn
off the whole Northwest territory north
Of the Columbia and south Of the l9th
, parallel. to Great Britain, for the raltry
r right to catch codtish and mackernl of
: the banks Of Newfoundland. it has been
the fond hope of many old pioneers to
: see their adopted home 30 forward in
wealth aud importance until it becomes
an equal OF the greatest States. Tn Ia
this time they have been doomed to dis.
. appointment, and the death-roll nun,
bers a long list of active, energetic men
who died without seeing their fond hopes
e realized.
: The inhabitants Of IA territory have no
{ rights save what are extended them by
. courtesy, and can only pursue the gilt.
tering vision Of "happincss,' etc.. etc.
in way that appears TO be partroniz.
e ingly prescribed by Congress, pretty
0 much the same as regulations and priv
a leges are nccarde to inmates of sucl,
restraining institutions us penitentiaries
aud industrial schools. 4 person on
: taking up his abode iu a Territory leaves
. behind him all the natural rights End
o privileges attaching to the condition OF
, manhood. and goes, as it were, into vol.
un!ary exile, and has no more rigat to q
voice in the affairs Of State than "pris
J. on,rs. paupers, and women When
b Congress in its wisdom forms sub .di.
r vision of any portion of our eminent DO
main and gives it IA name. it assumes ey
elusive jurisdiction over it. which iurs
u dicton generally consists in making il
IS an asylum in which to "pcnsion' olt
g party hacks, broken-down politician.
O and "bilks,' that have long outliyee
. their usefulness and were an annoyanc,
and drag to their friends. the Senators
:, and Representatives. This Congress
. y sioual rerquisite is tenacousIy maintain
ed, and consequently all over the coun
= try, wherever there is government of
y fee, some such individual is thrust an,
- dignifed with the title of "Governor,
. "Judge," Secretary and the like, sci
= - dom TO the credit and often to the deg
:, radiation of the public service. Occa
;, sonally good men get in. but they ar
l. compelled TO share tie odium and dis
" grace brought on the service by tn
army of greedy adventurers and pecula
tors. and seldom being "machines" ar
quickly retired to private life. Rarely
y indeed, is a citizen Of Territory ap
,e pointed to Office Under such politica
h. serNituuo III - Hoe a' ali surprising Una
the restraint is irksome and that tn
- sturdy yeomanry prefer to I'M
n dertake the burdens incident on mair
or tanning State organization. if doing {
il. will bring relief from these harpies an
enable them to select their own ruler
- These are By no means all the reasons
10 but in II political sense are amoug th
n most aggravating.
es The Territories have some right
20 however: The ax-gatherer never fai
.n to promptly put in an appearance to il
;" timate to the citizen what amount
a taxes he has the right aud privilege
pay - the Government, in return foy II