The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-12-12
TERRITORIAL AMBITION.

TERRITORIAL AMBITION.
There is a feeling of unrest among
the people of nearly all Of the territor-
les regarding their geographical and
political status. If we begin on the ex-
treme northwest we win find the peo-
pie of Washington territory engaged in
a discussion among themselves as to
the propriety Of forming n state govern
ment. At the election held in Novem-
Der of last year, we believe, the people
rejected the proposed constitution for a
state. But they are still struggling
to become the Both star on the nations
standard.
In Idaho there is no movement for a
state government, but the people living
north Of the 46th parallel, in the ''pan
handle" desire to be annexed TO WASH
ington, for the reason that all Of their
business transactions are with the
washingtonians. This proposed
change involves the Bitter Root moun
tains as the eastern boundary of Wash
ington.
Montana finds herself with a grand
division of interests among her widely
spread population. The western por-
tion is given over to mining, while the
east is taken up for agriculture and
stock raising. These opposite interests
are unfortunately clashing and the nat
ural result is a demand from both sides
for q division.
Dakota has been in a stew for u long
time. If there is any territory that
will stand a division better than Dako-
ia, we would like to learn its name. Since
gold was discovered in the Hills and a
large population iocked thither the
heterogeneousness Of the population
has been made more apparent. Dakota
is the largest territory In the United
States, having on area Of 152, GOO square
miles. It's people are divided as to
what changes they want geographically
and politically. There are a number
of propositions made which we will
mention: The formation Of a state
with the present lines is suggested. Then
u division into two territories, which
involves two distinct plans: One party
wants the Missouri river, running
northwest and southeast to be the di-
viding line. Others propose the 10th
parallel of latitude. Still others want
to make three territories, the Black
Hills constituting the major portion of
the third. Then the people of Yank-
ton desire for their own benefit, to have
the northern boundary line of Nebraska
extended eastward to the line of Iowa,
in order to take Yonkton into the state
of Nebraska. The trouble is that the
people of Dakota are too divided on
these questions to accomplish anything.
But that they are unanimously in favor
Of a change, is admitted by them all.
Wyoming, last but not least of the
territories, has also been talking change.
In certain quarters, some talk is heard
of forming a state. But the lack Of
a sufficient population will prevent that
for the present. Then a very respecta-
BILE portion of the people living in the
southern part of the territory desire
to have the southern degree of parallel
annexed to Colorado.
Utah has been a candidate for state
honors for years. 1t has sufficient pop
u~lation, and has been striving with
might and main to accomplish its am
bition. There has been but one thing
that has prevented its becoming a state,
namely, polygamy. The have
proved TO be a drawback to themselves.
Arizona seems content. Her people
have nc schemes of division or annexa-
tion. They are quietly engaged in de-
veloping her red hot resources, and
will wait until the near future shall in
spire them to dreams of statehood.
New Mexico looks about herself try
ing to find sufficient population and
p~royocation to form a state. Geograph-
ically she feels content. 1t is her polit-
ical status she desires to change.
We have seen that seven of the eight
organized territories of the United
States desire a change-some simply
geographically, some politically, and
Others both geographically and politi
cally.
This desire springs from that ambi'
tion and spirit of progress that perme'
ates western people. They want to
progress rapidly and they feel that it
can't be done through the territorial
form Of government. To become SOW
ereign states is their destiny. To
achieve that destiny is the purpose Of
the hour.