The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-12-11

| Inc hon. William Stewart o
California, who expects to succeed
Senator Fair as one of the repre-
sentatives of Nevada in the United
States Senate, proposes, in The
event Of his election to that high
office, to have the Territory of Idaho
with the exception of the four
northern counties, annexed to the
silver state. This is the renewal OF
an old story, but there is a greater
possibility of such an attempt now
being being made than ever before.
Mr.. Stewart was in Boise City last
week and expressed the opin-
ion that Idaho was sure to lose her
four northern counties by annexa-
ton to Washington, and it would
then be many years before the ter
ritory would contain sufficient pop
ulation to give her admittance in
the sisterhood of states. All this
may be true; it is possible that the
annexation of the northern counties
to Washington may become an ac-
complished fact at the present ses-
sion of Congress, but it is not by
any means assured. Even should
be secured, there is no
reason why Nevada should gobble
up the rest of the territory in order
to help that state maintain an ex-
pensive government and assist in
paying off an already largely accu-
debt that is burdensome
to carry. The only benefit that
could be derived by annexation
would be the right of voting for a
president and the choosing of men,
bers of Congress and the selection
Of officers through the ballot in
stead of such officials being ap-
pointed. But to secure these IA
vors too great a sacrifice is asked.
Far better will it be to remain un-
Ter territorial government than to
have our growing and prosperous
erritory parceled out for the ben
fit of other states. Should Mr.. |
stewart succeed in getting into the
senate this move to annex to Ne
ada will be made. 1t is even
United that the would-be senator
gill also take in a portion of Utah
n his bill and to gain the COOP
ration of Idahoans to his scheme
Re has built paper railroad from
ogden to Boise City and promises
0 remove the capital of the new
ormed state from Carson to Win
emucca. 1t has been generally
iven out that the recent visit of
lr. Stewart to Boise City was one
f a purely business nature. No
oubt it was, but it begins to look
8 though his business was in
ay connected with his scheme to
teal the territory. A vigorous pro-
st should be gotten up to thwart
his scheme and presented to con-
ress the moment that, in case of
ectiOn, Senator Stewart introduces 4
is bill for annexation. In all !
the bill now before con- q
Tess to take the four northern G
'unties from Idaho and annex
lem to Washington will be def
tely settled before the close of
Re present session of Congress. The '
majority of the house !
i'll hardly favor the admission of
new state that will surely send to I
e senate two members to swell i
e small republican majority of
at body, and the admission bills
III die on the calendar when the ,
eaker's gavel announces the dis I
luton ofthe forty-ninth congress.
ne people of southern Idaho, who
ii be the most affected by the
ccess of any such scheme as pro- ]
'sed by Mr.. Stewart will hardly
low themselves to be hoodwinked
to giving any aid to such a meas
e. Idaho is not seeking annexa-
IN; within few years she will be !
ocking at the door herself for ad-
ssion, and any of the territory
w taken from her will only pro-
1g the time when her claim to =,
ltehood can be made. If Nevada n
so anxious for an increase of
ritory and population give her .
ah and the Mormons. 1t will be f
more to the purpose; be the
ath-blow to polygamy and make
ar more certain democratic state.