Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-11-28
THE DESTINY OF MONTANA.
Delegate Too!e's Views About the
Next New State-Tile latest Phase
Of the Question: Of Admission
to the Jnia1.

Hon. Joseph K. Toojo became Mon
tana's representative to Congress,
says the Washington Republican, on
the expiration Of the term OF Hon.
Martin Maginnis on March 4, 1885.
! Born III Missouri, Col. Toole has re
sided in Montana since boyhood and
is familiar with the wants as we'll as
/ the wonderful resources Of that grow
] ing Te1Titory He has served with
distinction as States attorney, mem
Der Of the Legislative assembly, and
of the constitutional convention Of
the Territory, and was chosen by the
Democracy Of Montana by a compli-
mentary majority to represent her in
the forty-ninth Congress. He is now
in the city looking after the interests
Of hia constituents.
'Pou have spent considerable time
in the capital since your election"
said q Republican reporter to Mr.
Toole, has anything Of special inter
est transpired affecting Montana, and
how have you occupied your timer
Il have found much to occupy me
here in looking after such appoint
ments as We're likely to fall to Mon
tana, and such departmental business
as was incident to my official position.
In the pursuit Of these duties, OBJ
stacles and delays which do not OBJ
tain in private life are necessarily fre-
quent and sometimes perplexing, but
the uniform courtesy and kindness
shown me by tie President, Cabinet
officers. and the heads of bureaus
have done much to countcrbaIance
these difficulties.
Much interest has been felt in the
course to be pursued by the admins
tration relative to Territorial appoint
ments. The histories of the Terrific
lics iustifes the assertion that they
have been considered in the past as a
sort Of hospital for the care and main
tenance Of political weakIings from
the States; but, happily, this policy is
giving way to & more just and en-
lightened public sentiment, which de-
nands that their local government
shalt be intrusted to their own citi-
zens. aIhis sediment was SO potential
that it found place in the national
platforms of both political parties in
their last conventions
1T is but fair to say that there have
been departures from the platform in
this respect in several instances, but |
in the main it has been adhered to:
and we find cause for congratulation
in even q partial realization Of our
hopes, especially In Montana, where
the governor, secretary, and a number
Of other important officers have been
chosen from residents Of the Terri |
tory"
Montana seems to be attracting
considerable attention in the east as q |
Territory OF great possibilities" re-
marked the reporter.
Yes, and deservedly SO. The Ter
ritory is enjoying the greatest pros
perity, and has most inviting future
Since! the completion of the Northern |
Pacific and Utah Northern railroads
our population has rapidly increased, |
and capital has been attracted to US
Our valleys are yielding largely in
agricultural products and vast tracts
Of desert lands are being reclaimed |
by irrigation. A million head of cat
tie, 100000 head of horses, and 1,200,-
900 head of sheep are grazing upon
the nutritious grasses Of that Terri |
tory. Our mines are the most pro-
ductiye of any in the country, and,
although that interest is in its infan-
cy, the mineral output for 1885 will |
approximate in value S2S, 100000"
How about your population?'
Our population is close on to no.,
600 No census has been taken for a
long time, but the vote at the last |
election showed 26.969 male citizens
over the age Of twentyone years in
the Territory
What are Montana's chances for
admission as State at this session of
Congress?"
Our people are naturally restive
under q Territorial form of govern
ment. 1t is restrictive Of the larger
rights, liberties, and aspirations of
citizenship. A large majority Of our
citizens favor an early admission as a
State, and to that end have formulat-
ed and adopted an admirable consti-
tuition, and appointed committee of
leading citizens to present the same
to the President and to Congress.
Montana and Dakota might be ad-
mitted without changing the political
complexion of the Senate I have
not even figured on the probability of
accomplishing this, but it is among
the things hope for"