, 1882-12-08
Party Necessity"


sion TO statehood. we did not refer TO
the real reason that paper had for its
illogical course. although any one
could easily read between the lines
that Bro. Murphy would sacrifice all
the benefits of statehood rather than
see republican state added to the
,nion. He now comes out i'll plain
language and tells just what he
meaps. Listen:
The Port Townsend ARGUS calls us
a back" because the Standard
does not look at the project for the
admission of Washington through
the argus eyed spectacles. II that
journal can give sound reason for
haste in this matter that is not die
tatedby 'party necessity" we would
like to hear it. The subject is OF too
much Importance to be made the
mere stepping-stone for DR.. Minor or
Gov. Ferry to reach coveted seats in
the U. S. Senate; and when We pos
sess constitution that is altogether
acceptable. it will be time to knock
for admission, instead of entering by
the indirect procedure of an enabling
act, and Presidential proclamation.
We are not aware that the political
aspirations of DR.. Minor or Governor
Ferry had ever been given thought
in connection with the admission of
Washington to statehood until our
neighbor voiced his terror at such a
fanciful btgaboo. That paper speaks
Of the importance of the subject"
Yes, it is important-far too much so
to allow individual or even party in
terests to cut.any figure in it what
ever. The people of the territory are
practically unit in their desire for
statehood, irrespective of party-and
the Staladardman knows trhy, just as
well as we do. They want emancipa
ton from the vassalage, the leading
strings, and the "carpet-bag rule"
about which Bro. Murphy has found
fault so much in the past. He would
deem it an insult to his intelligence
did we intimate that he is ignorant
Of the fact that we will never receive
more than a pittance of the benefits
Of national legislation until we have
three representatives at the national
capital, with vote each, instead of
an agent there who canlbut beg and
importune at most. As to 'haste" in
this matter, Mr.. Murphy knows that
that the people are getting extremely
anxious about it because they believe
that after the 4th of next March the
democratic majority of the lower
House Of Congress viii consider
themselves iustifable through "party
necessity in denying us our rights;
aud that they will after that time be
able to prevent our admission for
years to come.
We trust that the narrow, selfish
views Of our cotemporary upon this
subject will not be accepted abroad
as the sentiments of the democratic
voters of this Territory-because it
would be rank injustice to them; they
are just as anxious for admission, as
rule, as the republican voters are;
they are intelligent and progressive
enough to desire the privilege Of ex
ercising all the rights of American
citizenship, including, the rights Of
self-government and Of having the
country freed from obstacles to its
development Rapidly as our re-
sources are being developed, the
growth Of the past cannot compare
with the Immediate future if we Sc
cure admission. The question of a
constitution is of no Importance
whatever at present. Why cannot
we frame and adopt a constitution
just as well after the passage Of an
enabling act as before? Doubtless
the one we did adopt would be re-en-
acted, for the most part. But in any
event it would have to be adopted by
majority vote of the people-and
whether that is done before ad,nis
sion or afterward, it matters but lit
tie. II our neighbor is actually Sc
rious, he is to be pitied. If it is
simply case Of disordered liver on
his part, We hope to be excused for