Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-02-18
STATEHOOD,
Delegate TooIe Makes an Eloquent Plea
for Admission,


Delegate TooIe Makes an Eloquent Plea
for Admission.
What constitutes a state?
Not high-laised battlements or 1abo1ed mound.
Nj ahlek wall Ct n stt,d gate;
Not bays and broad-a1med ports,
Where laughing at the storm rich navies ride;
Not starred and spangled courts,
Where low-browed baseness watts perfume to
No! Men, high-minded men.
| With powers as far above dull brutes endued.
In torest, brake or glen,
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude;
! Men who their duties know.
But know their rights; and knowing dare main
tain,
Prevent the long GAINED blow.
And crush the tyrant while they rend the
These constitute a state,
These pregnant lines are of especial
interest to the people of Montana at this
time. The sentiment they express is
patriotic and American, and nowhere is
it better understood and appreciated than
in Montana. Within her limits 100000
people are engaged in all the diversified
interests and industries which the clvili-
cation Of our time invites and fosters,
with no other political autonomy than the
alleged government provided for a terri
tory. In superficial area it is an empire,
embracing 10000 square miles. One
hundred millions of dollars is a fair esti-
mate of our assessable valuation when
all exemptions are removed from rail-
roads, and land grants are subjected to
taxation. Who will contend that such a
people ought to be denied the benefits of
can furnish?
Our citizenship is as dear, and II
property rights as dear to us as if we
lived in one or all the states OF the
Union, and yet there is no law which our
local Legislature can pass, that congress
may not invalidate. We are 80 years old
as a territory, out of debt, and money III
our pockets. We have always yielded
cheerful obedience to the United States,
and in every way demonstrated our abil-
ity for local self-government. And yet
there are those who insist upon still lon
ger submitting us to the fostering care
and protection of congress. What does
congress do for us? ltmakes US the ex-
detrimental station, where we are told
what we shall teach in our public
schools. 1t has withdrawn our mining
properties from the foreign markets
of the world, and inhibited that
competition which the states enjoy. and
by a recent bill it proposes to say what
we shall not produce and sell within our
hpr1nru II hoe nyor,rtnI n rn;trroJ onI
Improvements on its right-of-way for $50
withholds from us that magnificent dowry
of lands which belongs to our school
fund. Our territory is dotted all over
with Indian and military reservations
which are o~bstructing the speedy settle
ment and occupation Of our country and
the building of railroads. 1t gives us no
remedy against carpet-bag rule, that seems
to inhere more or less in territorial gov-
eminent, the protestations of party plat
forms to the contrary Notwithstanding.
these evils what is our remedy and
shall we turn for relief ? State
hood is the only solution. Our wealth,
intelligence, dignity and importance de-
mand it. When We shall have had two
United States senators and a representa-
tive in the house of representatives. ac-
cording to our population, who will not
only voice our sentiments, but vote them,
then. and not until then, will we ave the
power and prestige of a sovereign peo-
pie: then, and not until then, will We
have that complete and plenary power
over our own affairs which is the pride
and glory of a free people. Montana ex-
pressed herself upon this question over
two years ago. Every Consideration
which controlled your judgment then
has been fortified and intensified by
the lapse of time. This question of
statehood is of supreme and paramount
importance. Delay is dangerous. It
means four years more of subsection to
all the experimental legislation that the
whims and caprices of congress can in
vent. It means a denial of our rightfuI
representation in the United States senate.
and unjust procrastination of our state
government. But / believe that congress
to and will pass an enabling act
by which at least three territories will be
permitted to form constitutions and elect
state officers at the next general election,
their constitutions, when
to the second session of this con-
gress for ratification. This will not inter-
fere with the next electoral college and
to meet Wits the solid support Of
both political parties, say | b~elievethis
will be done at this session of congress,
and to this end | invoke the aid and CO
operation of every good eitiaen of Mon
.ana, Yours truly, J.k. TooIsE.