The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-08-11
APPEALS FOR STATEHOOD.

We presume IL VIII Do 1bBalueu
as bordering on treason to again
urge the propriety of continuing Wig
orously the effort to get Utah into
the Union. The obstinacy of some
people is positively disgusting.
There are those who will keep on
lighting the State movement long
after the Territory has gone beyond
her protracted period of dependence,
and her star is shining brilliantly
IN tbs family armament. There is
to be a run uponC ongress next
winter by Territories that are tired
of the Old order of things and anxi-
GUS 80 be clothed In the Labillments
Of statehood. Dakota is preparing
for one of the greatest efforts Of her
life, and having patched up that re-
pudisti0n matter in some way that
partially hides the ugly business,
stands il fair chance for gaining adj
mission TO the select circle. Her
politics is a little off, it is true;
she is republican and the
lower house of congress happens
to Oe handsomely democrat
ic. These minor circumstances
should cut no figure in the question
o. admission to the Union, and or
dinariIy would not. All Congress
ought TO ask is, Has the Territory
the population, the wealth and the
ability to maintain a republican
form of government? If this is
answered in tho affirm alive it
should be q sufficient warrant for
the passage of the enabling act and
the creation of a free and independ-
eat state, with all the rights and
privileges of the others, That
Dakota is qualified for state govern
rnent there can be no doubt, for she
has numerous and thrifty populs-
6ion, a rich territory, and brilliant
prospects, Were 1t not for the
claseness of the contest between the
politica parties there would be no
doubt as TO her immediate Rdmis-
sion 30 the Union. The fact that
Che presidential election will occur
next year may delay action pp9n
her case another year, for it is posi-
bic the democrats in the House viii
feel It to be unwiss and DANCE. Gus
TO give the enemy three electoral
votes without a corresponding gain
for themselves, However, Dakota
is going ahead with her appeal and
demand, just as if success Were ex-
pected. We hops the Territory will
not be disappointed, and that an
other year will End her enjoying
the privileges and benefits of state
government, whatever may be the
politics of the majority of the citi-
zens.
Washington Territory is also
preparing for an active effort in tae
direction of statehood, but the
prospects are not SO fatteling in her
case. She is wanting in population
and material development, as well
as in political Importance. The
Northern Pacific railroad will make
Washington, but there must
be time in which to do the
work. Two years hence, should
emigration still move In that direc-
ton as 1t most likely will, Wash
ington can ask Congress to let her
in, and with pride and confidence
show her qualifications for state
hood.
Like Utah, New Mexico Is a.
chronic applicant for the privilege
Of local self.government, though her
cause is less hopeful than that of
any other Territory. New Mexico
is not ready for state government,
with all its responsibilities and ex-
pensive machinery. Before she
goes into the Union more Of her
people should become American
lied. at present, comparatively
few of the native population under
stand our system Of government
and are capable of making and
administering laws in harmony
with the theory and institutions of
the republic. The voting masses
sre ignorant and comparatiYelyslow
10 learn, and they are as completely
under the control Of the priests as
are their brethren in old Mexico.
where the church controls nomins-
lions and elections to a far greater |
extent than the 'fmachine" does in |
any American State. It would be
a misfortune to make New Mexico !