The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-04-07
Washington Letter.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
4 n l.. - q L.
years.

HOUSE OF Els,
Washington, d. c., Feb. 81, 1881.
Hon. ALoNzo LELAND: Dear Sir
Your favor of the 2Sth ult., with en-
closed copy of the 7etier, after some
delay, has been received. l had pre-
viously received from Boise City, in
formation of the vote by the Idaho
House of Representatives.. | am in
full accord with you in the object to
be accomplished, although we may
differ in the means to be used in Sc
curing the desired end. l need not
present arguments to prove the cor
rectness of the views we have in COM
mon. But l cannot think it fair to
the people who are now part of Idaho
and whom we would corporate within
the state limits of Washington to deny
to them a voice in the selection of the
first senators, one of whom may hold
"A tenure from the first election for a
term of six years. Neither do think
it fair to the people OF what will upon
our admission be eastern Washington,
part of that people shall be denied
representation in the first state legis-
lature. l cannot concur that new
convention, or a change in the present
constitution in respect to legislative
apportionment would in any manner
endanger the proposed state bounda-
ries, unless-which do not helieve-
the people of Washington Territory
have changed their views and are
now opposed to the acquisition of
part of Idaho. If such change has
come, it would be used against the ad
mission of the state in its present sta
tus, and it would defeat the admis-
sion. Again, a denial to any portion
of our proposed citizens of the right to
be represented in just proportion to
their numbers, would awaken the sus-
picion that selfish purposes were at
tempting nefarious ends, and would
defeat the admission of the state, even
if that were the only objection. Any
fatal to admission, for it is indefensi-
bic. One strong hope of the admission
of the new state Is based upon the re-
political power under our cOnstitu-
ton. Exclude any considerable pOr-
ton of our people from voice in the
first legislature that is to elect its first
senator and every democrat in house
and senate would charge upon the
republicans a disposition to defraud
them by denying to their sections a
voice, and republicans would not, |
opine, willingly, give it support. In
this case, | am opposed to denying to
any section its just representation in
the firsttlegislature
LIST. Because it is unjust to deny
them their rights.
End. Because any attempt in that
direction is sure defeat.
am fully committed to the inclu-
sion of north Idaho within the limits
of the proposed state, and would not
willingly endanger that project. But,
until our constitution is amended by
provision for more equal appor-
tionment of members of our first leg
islature l doubt both the propriety
and the possibility of our admission
under it. Shorld feel constrained to
introduce an enabling bill for that
purpose, | should conform the bounda-
ries as defined in our present constitu-
ton, and in my pending bill for adj
mission. You may rest arrured /
shall "stand pat' on that. / wish to
be fully advised and to be guided by
the dictations of wisdom and justice.
With many thanks to you for your
carefully considered letter, and regret
ting that we differ in the manner of
securing the accomplishment of an OBJ
ject in the desirableness of which we
agree, with the highest esteem and
consideration. | am,
Yours very truly,
THOS. H. BRENTS.