, 1886-04-15
Admission Of Washington

The bill for erection Of Washington
Territory into state ought to become
law. 1t undoubtedly would, were
it not feared that its electoral vote
might disturb political calculations
for lSSS. Against admission of
Washington there can be no legiti-
mate argument based on alleged want
Of population, resources or wealth.
IL has fully three times the average
wealth aud population of all the new
states (at the time of their admission)
which have been created since the
constitution was adopted.
During many years past the Ore
goHtdH, at all times when the sub
ject was before congress or the coun-
try, has been urging the admission of
Washington. Erected into a state,
Washington would more rapidly ac-
quire the character and standing pro
perly belonging to an independan!
community. 1t would be taken into
consideration because of its political
position and power Its senator's
would be able TO bring its claims to
recognition in congress and at the
same time would do much in the way
Of securing 10 the state from all parts
uf the country the attention to which
It's position and ITS resources entitIe
IT.
Some objection has been made in
congress 10 the admission of Wash
ington on the alleged ground that
the progress of the territory is not
hHEuN M usuI.1lfFrr md
Ihis Is the argument Cf dense ignor
sace or of Intentional misrepresenta-
ZION. All the conditions of growth
and prosperity in Washington Terri
tory are of the most stable kind. The
foundations thereof were planted
forty years ago; and from that day
To this there has been no interruption
OF progressive movement Most OF
the people are Of the best class whose
blood and bone and moral fiber enter
into the composition of American
commonwealths. Objection has been
made to admission, on the ground
that the criminal assaults upon the
Chinese at Puget Sound indicate a
turbulent and lawless population;
but those assaults were made by only
a handfHl of persons, most migratory,
who are no type whatever of the peo
pie Of the territory, and it should not
escape recollection that the good peo-
pie quickly put them down.
Senator Dolph has been speaking
with great earnestness in behalf of
the admission of Washington, ably
supported by Senator Platt, of Con-
netticut. Platt's speech, delivered on
the 30th Of March, is worthy of no
iicc as a plea by au eastern senator
for justice to the people Of western
territory. Said Mr.. Platt: mo ter
riiory ever knocked at the door of
congress with a better population in
ali that goes to make up the class
who are to maintain the institutions
q state" Rms senator also dweIt
at length on the natural resources of
the territory, showing how abundant
and varied they are. 1t has excel
lent agricultural lands; 1t has album
dance Of the precious minerals. it has
large coal fields; it has grand water
ways ana an extensive system of
railroads; 1t has the most magnificent
body of timber that exists today in
the civilized world" With the coun-
ties of Northern Idaho added. the
area would be about $4,000 square
miles, and the present population not
much under 2U0,OC0. Tie TERRITORY
has all the resources necessary to
support population Of millions, and
within dozen years it will go ahead
IN wealth and population cf one
thIrd Of the states of the Union. It's
slow progress, hitherto, like that of
Oregon, has been due to distance and
ISOLATION, now no longer a bar to de-
Eelopment here.