The weekly miner., 1881-02-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
The Proposed Bill for the Carving OF Ter
ritories-Admissi0n Of fIerriiOries-Rep.
resentatlOn and Votes
Editor Butte Miner.

In my last wrote you OF proposed bill to
consolidate the territories. Nothing definite
has been done yet, and probably will not be
during this session. Yet the scheme seems
to meet with general approval. Many men,
bers say it is a capital idea, and that the
carving up of the smallest and most uninvlt-
ing territories will pave the way for the ad-
mission of the remainder as full fedged
states. This general mixture of things would
place the political complexion of some in
doubt, while others being pronounced any
way, neither house of congress would likely
object on those grounds. The main point
would be territorial area and population.
Probably the greatest benefit to be derived
from this proposed scheme would be in CIV
ing Utah about 5000 able bodied male voters
and Gentiles at that to say nothing of the
additional territory and industrious citizens
of virtuous tendency. This added, with a
good election law, and the Mormon question
would soon be settled.
The admission of territories is now an i'm
portant matter, politically. Each state is en-
titled to two senators and al least one repre-
sentative i ut SGildtc SidluS equally diNluCu,
or, republican by the casting vote of the vice.
president. If Montana were to come in as a
democratic state, it would change the politi-
cal complexion of the senate, and that body
will scarcely allow that sort of thing. The
republicans have just one majority in the
house. If a demo cratic representative should
be elected they would lose control Of that
body; so it is not very likely that any other
than republican territory will be admitted
within the next two years. Perhaps Dakota
may get in. 1t is now republican by 1000, but
the fast flowing immigration may change that
by the next election. Ten years ago that ter
ritory had a apopulation of 14,999; the present
census gives it at l35, ,1S0. With this rapid
increase of population the republicans would
run great risk in admitting Dakota. The
same case holds with New Mexico. Ten
years ago that territory had population of
19,00G: now it has 11S,000. But the Nor
mons are focking there, and, let the territory
be admitted as state, and almost the entire
population of Utah will coloniZe there. At
present New Mexico is republican by about
500 majority. But it is too close for the re-
publicans to take any risk. Delegate Bennett
has given up all hopes of getting Dakota in
this session; also of getting it divided. So,
the newly proposed empire of Pembila van
ishes for the present.
REPRESENTATION AND VOTES.
Whilet this subject is under consideration the
DISTINGUISHED laboring class of the New Eng
land states will be either enfranchsed or rep
resentation from those states will be reduced
in proportion. For instance, some of those
states require property qualification; others
an educational qualification. Yet congress
men are elected from those states on the CEN
suS returns, and they thas get five more rep
resentatives than they are entitled to. Each
state is given the privilege to regulate the suf-
frage of its inhabitants; and if it disfran-
chises them because they are unfortunate,
such state must suffer the consequences.
Representative Low, greenbacker,of Alabama
has introduced bill to that effect; and its
consideration will likely open up the whole
question of suffrage and representation. For
instance: the southern states have los repre-
sentatiyes; 85 of that number are based on
the colored vote. And we all know how the
coiored men are "persuaded' to vote the DEM
ocratic ticket. But 1t is argued ssthe state
laws down there do not disfranchise the col