, 1884-02-23

A PROPOSITION to organize new
territory from Eastern Washington
and Idaho is now being seriously en-
tertained, and is one that will ava
ken much argument pro and con.
The facts as presented are strongly
in favor OF such division, and many
strong reasons are presented at the
first glance why such an organization
should be effected. The territories
are all much larger thIn the older
states, and should be reduC ed rs
they become states to a more uni
form size, besides the interests Of
the eastern part of Washington are
vastly different from those Of the
Western section. The typograph-
ical condition of this territory makes
it apparent that some change will
be made in its arrangement in the
future and the idea now advanced
is the best yet presented. We re-
publish the following interesting ar
ticle on the subject from the Walla
Walla Union:
The telegraph reports the San
Francisco Chronicle as discussing the
scheme to organize a new Territory
Of the eastern part of Washington
and the northern part Of Idaho, and
saying: "What the present pOpula-
tiOn Of the region is cannot be told,
but IL the mines are half what they
are now reputed to be, there is no
doubt that from $1,000 to 100, 900 peO-
pie will he settled in Eastern Wash
ingtOn and Northern Idaho within
twelve months from this date; and
If that Is realized, the movement for
q new Territory can not be defeated.
The Territory Of Washington con-
tains very nearly 1000 square miles,
and Idaho about 1900. The two
together are as large as the State OF
California, and nearly three times
as large as Illinois. A new Terrific
nv could be cut out Of them without
reducing either below the area of
Illinois, and yet allow to the new
ono as many acres as are contained
in Tennessee or Pennsylvania. The
prospects Of Washington for speedy
admission as State, to which posi-
tiOn she aspirps, would not be seri-
Ously discounted. We think Wash
ingtOn now contains l5O,OO0 inhab-
itants on Puget Sound and east Of
the Cascade mountains, without GO
ing half away up to these new mines;
and the Sound population is very
rapidly increasing, all along from
Olympia to the line Of British Col
umhiu."
1t must he evident to a careless OBJ
server that the opening Of the C9ur
dAlene mines, with the inevitable
rush Of thousands Of miners, me-
n mics, merchants, professional and
business men to them, must add
weight to the scheme to form new
Territory out OF Eastern Washing
ton and Northern Idaho. A glance
at the map Is enough to ascertain the
formation Of the country. The new
mines are situated on the western
slope Of the Coeur d'Alene Noun
tains, whose surplus waters find en-
tr rnces into the Columbia through
the Spokane river, and whose min
ing population must obtain a great
share Of It's provisions from the
farming population in Eastern Wash
ingtOn adjoining them on the west.
Located north Of the center Of the
pan handle Of Idaho, the character
Of the country makes it necessary,
in order TO reach the capital Of that
Territory, for the transaction Of Off
cial business, to traverse many hum
dred miles through Montana, or
Washington and Oregon, while to
| reabh the capital of Washington
journey Of several hundred miles
through Oregon has to be made. 1t
Is not reasonable to require the tens
Of thousands Of people who will in
habit the CQeur PAlene mining re-
giOn, and obtained their supplies
from Eastern Washington, or the
officials with whom they have to
deal, TO make such long journeys
when by a simple readjustment Of
Territorial lines and the location Of
the capital at Spokane Falls, or any
Of the other eligible sites, north Of
Snake river, nine-tenths Of the Jour
ney and expense could be Obviated.
d legate Singiser will be lilble to
the charge af gross neglect Of duty |
II he does not secure the passage Of
bill to create a Territory out Of
North Idaho and Eastern Washing
ton. Delegate Brents will find II to
the best interests OF his constituents
In Eastern Washington, among
whom he resides, to aid the gentle
man from Idaho in the passage Of
the bill
For sale.