National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-18
Another candidate for Admission.

mlsgOvclumcnt
Another Candidate for Admission.
Having been ortlyrchabilitated by the re-
suit Of the last presidential election-a re-
suit attained 10y revolutionary methodsin
so far as relates to southern soli1ity-the
Democratic party returns to It's old-timc
ways as naturally as returns "the SOW that
was washed to her wallowing In the mirc.'
There being no longer any tenable ground
on which to oppose the admission of Dakota,
and the leaders who have made themselves
ridiculous by recent foolish assaults on the
people Of that territory being ashamed to
go on with that sort Of folly, II has been de-
tcnmincd to offer compromise in this
shape: owe will let Republican Dakota
come In II you will admit Democratic ter
ritory to statehood at the same timc.'
This is a return to the course pursued
when the slaye-powcr ruled the republic by
consent Of its "doughfaccn allies at the
north. No matter how good case was
presented for admission Of a free state dur
ing that period, It could not enter unless a
slave state came I'm simultaneously. Thus
1t happened that Maine came in with Mis-
souri,, Arkansas with Michigan, Florida
with Iowa, and Texas with Wisconsin.
When, through the excess of It's devotion
to the peculiar institution" the Demo-
cratic party went into retirement and the
Republican party took charge Of national
affairs, new rule was adopted, giving ter
itoriCs access to the Union as soon as they
were fairly entitled thereto. But the return
Of the Democracy to even frail hold on
national powerhas, as stated above, brought
back the old rule, and Dakota must be
yOkcd to Democratic mate or she can't
pass through the door.
The mate proposed for Dakota is Wash
ington territory, by whose admission the
Democrats propose to maintain the relative
standing Of parties in the United States
Senate. This hope is based on the fact
that the present delegate from Washing
ton in the House of Representatives,
Mr.. Charles s. Voorhees,, a son of Senator
Voorhees,, of Indiana, was elected by ma
jority Of 14S. His Republican predecessor
had n majority of 3,0OS. This may indicate
a great change in the political status Of the
territory, and it may be the result of an ex-
ceptionally fortunate campaign by an ex-
ceptionally popular young man, with the
impetus Of national campaign to help him
along. But it appears that the national
Democratic party counts Washington as
one Of its jewels, and the Republicans are
willing that they should keep on doing So
till next election time
Washington territory is the northwestern
corner Of the United States, making no ac-
count Of our outlying possession called
Alaska. 1t was organized as territory in
1858, about thirty-three years ago, but its
boundaries have been changed a number Of
times since that date, reducing its immense
area from 100000 to 60, $50 square miles, but
leaving It quite large enough for all the pur
poses Of statehood. The Cascade range Of
mountains crosses the territory Longitude
nally-from north to south--the division
leaving five-seventhso of the area east and two
seyenths west. The formeris useful for pas
ture and little else; the latter is good agri-
cultural land, and much of 1t is heavily
timbered. Entering at the northwestern
corner Of the territory the Columbia river,
after traversing its whole breadth, forms
three-fourths of its southern boundary.
But its chief water frontage is Puget sound,
which is the most remarkable arm of the
sea which indents the Pacific coast of the
United States.
The progress Of this portion Of the ma.
tional domain has been the reverse ofrapid.
Half century ago it was the seat of trading
posts of considerable Importance, but emf
grafton did not take kindly to 1t until a
very recent date. The census tables show
that in 1870 the territory had q population
of 23,955, and this increased during the
next decade at the rate of 5000 year
only, so that the census of 1850 gave It TO-
1lG. But since them it is claimed, and we
believe honestly claimed, that the develop.
ment has been much more rapid, and the
| governor, in his message to the Legislature
last month, estimated that there are now
1T5,000 people within the boundaries Of the
territory. 1t is in good condition financially
being practically out Of debt, with a taxa
bic property Of over $780, 900, and
| surplus In the treasury Of 100000. 1t hal
well-established and prosperous schoo
system, which is conclusive proof of thu
high general average Of intelligence among
its people. During the last school yea
S2S7, ,O20.33 were spent for educational pur
poses, and 27,407 children were taught II
the schools. This is a really splendid show
ing educationally.
Having these substantial elements O
progress, it is not to be wondered at tina
the somewhat venerable territory desires Il
come into the Union aud enioyall the bene
fits incident to full statehood. At least tw,
enabling bills are now before Congress, bu
the people do not intend to remain inaC
tive. Instead of sitting down and waiting
on Congress they propose to be as ''revolu
tionary" as the citizens of Dakota hay
been. 1t is stated that bill has been pre-
pared and will be presented to the legisla
ture now in session authorizing the election
Of delegates from the several counties to
state convention TO prepare state consti
tuition. This will then be submitted to
vote Of the people and a governor AM
other officers be elected, and then only tn
formal action Of Congress will be needed t
make it member of the Union.
Republican senators and representative
will not meet Washington territory at tn
door with clubs TO drive her thence, but,
on proper investigation she shall be foun
qualified for admission, they VIII give her
cordial welcome.
Teaching Genuine Democracy.
The NATIONAL REPuBLICAS, for a Republ
can newspaper, displays now and then a goo
deal of Democratic common sense lIus'