New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-25
NEW STATES BY FHOLESALE

The Democratic programme regarding tho
admission of new Western States is disclosed
in the bill Just adopted by Mr.. Springers Com
mttee Dakota, which has population largo
enough 70 Justify three, if not four, members
of Congress. and which ought to have been
allowed to cast its electoral vote for the next
President. must be kept out until after tho
Presidential election in any case. and until
Congress is ready to admit also Montana
Washington Territory and New-AleAico In
other words. the Democrats ask the admission
of three States which they hope to carry-cach
now sending a Democratic delegate to the
House-as the price Of the admission oil one
State which ought to have been permitted to
come in long ago. This is pretty heavy rider
for Dakota TO carry. Furthermore. instead OF
the Territory being divided, and the southern
portion being first admitted. leaving the
northern portion to get its growth. the whole
is to be admitted as one State. which would be
twO-thirds as largo as France. This is to make
sure that there shall never be more than two
Republican Senators from Dakota, and that its
total of Republican electoral votes shall be
kept as small as possible.
Il is good commentary upon the business OF
this scheme 10 show that the population OF all
three Of the rider Territories. upon liberal
estimate. does not. put together, approach the
population Of Dakota. The population OF New
Mexico, which is at the head in point OF num-
bcrs, is estimated in the last report OF the Sec
rotary of the interior at 100000; and there is
no reason to suspect that this is an undcrstatc-
mcnt Montana, on the same authority, claims
10000, and Washington 1881. while Da-
kOta is credited with SOS, 100 These figures,
taken from the report Of Democratic Cablnee
officer, convict the Democratic House OF wicked
Injustice. 1t is shameful thing that mag
nifcent Territory, having nearly as large a,
population as the State of Maine under the last
census, is kept out Of the Union by mere par
tisan obstrucivcness.
Dakota ought to be admitted as rapidly as
the necessary steps can be taken. leaving the
question regarding the other Territories to be
settled later. It's title is absolutely clear and
no other Territory, it must be said. has one.
1t is true that New-Mcxico, if we accept the
figures just given. has sufficient population to
cntitle it 10 one Representative. the existing
ratio being 151.9l2. But Congress is bound
10 take into consideration the character OF the
population as well as its size. No patriotic
American should want to see New-MeXico
member of the family of States until the pro-
portion of q greascrs.; half-breeds and others
not commonly regarded as peculiarly qualified
for citizenship is much smaller than ii as now.
1t is claimed that this element has not mate
rally increased in ten years, while the tota'
population Of The Territory has grown 20 per
cent. Even this. however. does not represent
a rapid rate of progress. and If will be many
years before the country will be content to see
a population so largely Of Mexican extraction
clecting two United States Senators and casting
at least three votes for President.
Montana and Washington are growing far
more rapidly than New Mexico. Washington
has nearly doubled, and Montana has more than
trebled in population since 1880. The gain
of the latter is explained by the growth in its
product Of the precious metals, which is now
equal TO that Of Arizona, Ncw-Mcxico. Dakota
Idaho and Utah. all combined. The pOpula-
ton of Montana and Washington has fewer
questionable elements than that OF New-Mex-
leo. and the time may not be far distant when
their admission will seem desirable and proper
but it has not come yet.
1t is pleasant to be able to commend some
thing in Mr.. Springers scheme The provi-
sion that in case these Territories are admitted
the people of New Mexico shall vote upon the
question of changing its name to Montezuma,
and the people of Washington upon the ques
tion Of changing that name to Tacoma, is a
step in the right direction for reasons too
numerous and too obvious to mention.