The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-14
ADMISSION or THE TxEki-
TORIES.

One q. the most important results
Of the sweeping Republican victory OF
November 6, viii be the enlranchise-
meut Of the Iong-safFering citizens OF
Dakota. Montans and Washington
territories. For the past two years
these territories have. by coercion a.
u,oas infamous, remained unwilling
unaer the sHteiage OF the federal gov
eminent Notwithstanding the iact
that every possible requirement. 20 Tar
=. ,a.nraJ resources, development. IN
,.,,;gence population ard respect for
she constitution and the lass are con-
eerned. these three territories, justly
entitled 10 al the rights and privileges
Of statehood, have been refused ad-
mission to the Onion, and solely he
cause Of Democratic partssanship ana
bourbon pestiness.
since 1870 IT has invariably teen with
the greatest reluctance that the Demo
cratic marty has voted for the admits
sion into the Union Of any new state
from, the North. and then only when
that party saw that the political power
- sueb new state could be offset by
the creation Of rev state from the
so.,h But in recent years the growth
~ The country west of the Mississippi
river has been along the northern belt
az territories, and the Democracy, una
ble 10 meet this development OF Re
pnblican communities by a CORE
spondingly large Democratic growth IN
the south, has fought ali demands ior
admission with indomitable perseyer-
ance and logged persistency.
The end is near at hand. however,
and the election of Republican pres
dent and a Republican house OF rep
resentatiyes indicates that fitting re-
b,ke viii at last be administered to
those who have for years withheld
from over million citizens the dearest
rights which the constitution intended
10 grant them. Had Grover Cleveland
been reelected president, it is not
at all likely that any one
Of the three territories named would
have been admitted into the Union for
the next four years. Promises ana
,leipes have been too often broken to
warrant any mans believing that any
attention would be paid TO the prayers
and petitions of the discnfranchised
thousands OF the Northwest. As in
the past, all sorts OF pretexts would
have been employed with the object OF
withholding statehood, and not until
the Democratic territories of the South
had advanced sufficiently to entitle
them TO entry into the sistefhood OF
states would the rich and populons
territories OF the North receive the
rights which ought TO have been ae-
corded them long ago.
At last the clouds have been scat
tered and hopes long entertained are
about 10 be realized. Although as yet
statehood Is some distance off, the
time required TO make tan actual fact
can he easily computed. There is a
possibility, but not a probability, that
the present Democratic house, as
a means of making political capital,
and aware that the game OF delay is
now up, will at the short session which
opens next month. pass enabling acts
for the admission of Dakota, Montana,
and Washington, In this event the
president would be able TO issue his
proclamation of admission on or
abont the first of January, 1880.
Should the Democrats still persist in
their obstruction tactics, there is no
hope for the territories before 1891.
The Republican congress which con-
yenes in December. 1850, will, without
doubt, early in the session pass an en-
abllng act, by which the territorial
governors can, in April, 1850, call for
the election of delegates to constitu-
tionai convention. such election to he
held In June and the convention TO 1T
in August. The constitution drafted,
il must be submitted 20 the people in
the fall of the year. and II ratified at
popular election. there will be ample
time 10 submit il 10 congress
early in its second session. Having
been approved, President Harrison
will immediately issue his proelama-
ton aud with the opening of the year
1891. over one million people viii at
tain their rights, three powerful terri
tories will become full-fledged states
and three bright stars win be added
A. tl,s nattsafat eoRtgu