Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-03-02
WONDERFUL DREAM CHANGE.

WONDERFUL DREAM CHANGE.
The Boise Statesman has for years
opposed the annexation of North Idaho
to Washington, and last winter when
the lower House of the Idaho Legisla-
ture memorialized Congress for the
measure, it dcfantly said that the meas.
uro. could not be accomplished. 1t
worked for tho election of Ainslic to
defeat the measure. It urged his
nomination for the same purpose. 1t
ostensibly had Smith put in nomination
by the Republicans, so as to have him
beaten for the same purpose. 1t sent
Gov. Neil 10 Washington, this winter,
to help Ainslie to Gefcat this measure.
Both Ainslie and Neil have worked to
defeat the measure before the commit.
tee. Neil returned to Boise and ar
rived on The 10th ult., and on the 18th
the Statesman came out with the fol.
lowing leading article under the head
of "Annexation:"
The bill for the admission Of Washington
Territory ~ State will be reported favora-
bly, by the committee and will very prOba.
bly, pass both houses Of Congress. Whether
this bill when recommended will include
North Idaho, 10 not known. Our Northern
neighbors have never been very we'll salts
fed with Idaho since they lost the capital
from Lewiston. 1t is very grave doubt
whether they will be much better off in
Washington, but the disposition to 60 some.
where is leading one with them and they
the question Of annexation remains open
There is one feature about the boundary
question that is Of more Importance to South
ern Idaho than many suppose. The prOpo-
sition to make the 45th parallel Of north
latitude the dividing line, is unreasonable.
The southern line Of Eastern Washington
Territory 10 as far south as they should
come. They might with some propriety ask
to come as far as Salmon river, but every
rod this side Of that river 10 an injury to
Idaho without the least oompensating ben
eft to the State of Washington. Our people
should represent this matter in Washington
and see that SO great an injury il not carried
out. If the division must be made, let it
be done with some degree Of justice to South
ern Idaho.
From this quotation, the plain infer
ence is, that since Neil's return he has
put bug 10 Ke!ly's ear, by telling him
that further opposition is useless, and
Kelly, to let himself down easy, ha,
published the above. 1t admits thai
the bill for the admission of Washing
ton as State will be reported favora
bly, and probably will pass both houses
Of Congress, but is no. certain abou
the boundaries of the bill being report
ed. 1t comedies that the people o
North Idaho never will he reconcile,
to the Southern portion Of the Terri
tory, and that since we are bound +
60, it bsgs that our southern line b
. the 46th parallel, or Salmon river 90
urges that the South insist upon ON
of these. Well We are glad that con
mon sense auybcommou honesty To- Ne
has forced Kelly to make thes; admi,
sion. As to boundaries, the 46th pa
allel cuts through our Camas Prairi
Of the North and leaves Florence an
Warrens in South Idaho, while I'll
Salmon river still leaves Warrens an
Miller's Camp in South Idaho, Will
the 45th parallel passes along the SUD
init of the Salmon River mountain
). leaving all tho settlements tributary
tho South, to the south Of that pa
allel, and those that are naturally tri
utary to the North. to the north of TIL
parallel. just a. it shorld do for Il
convenience Of the settlers. 1t is tr,
). the population is small that would
Inconvenience, il the Salmon riv
was the dividing line, but that sms
number would lie greatly inconver
enced il left in Southern Idaho, viii
: if the 45th parallel be adopted as l
;, ported in the bill Of Brentz, no sc
!" tlei either North or South would
injured. The Salmon range of mou
~ tains is the great water shed that {
:. vides North and South Idaho a,
!" should be the division line and not Il
SALMON river, and the 45th parall
follows as near the summit of this gre
~ water shed as any straight line cou
!, do. TIE object sought by the peor
~ of North Idaho in this annexation
purely for the convenience and pre-
'' perity If her people and not to dive
= South Idaho Of anything that naturs
y " belongs to her,