The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-07-20
ADssussrOx AND ANNEXATION
0r THE PANHANDLE.

The bin discussed in the Senate on
"Wednesday for The formation and aa-
nulssion into The Union Of the
sfate Of Washington should be
passod At once b. both houses Of Con
aTcss and receive the immediate sigma
6use u the President. Withholding
statehood II no longer iustiiiai,le on
any ground whatsoever. This territory
has more than the requisite number Of
inhabitapts and they arc intelligent,
loyal. iaw-abisiing aud in every way
qualified 10 manage their own affairs.
Our right 10 admission seems to be
overywherc conceded and the only
dlfIicuity now experienced arises from
adherence OF opinion on the question
II annexing 10 the nss state the
northern part, or panhandle, Of
Idaho. Inasmuch As the people oi
that section are interested In this
question more than all Others. since
they viii lie especially affected by the
change In territorial boundaries, the
trainers Of the bin very wisely pro-
vided that the decision rs to whether
they should remain with Idaho or 50
with Washington should be left TO
themselves. II seems unjust that
three counties should BE- detached
from Idaho Il the residents therein
are opposed 10 II. aud Il il not unfair
that the prevailing opinion al The
present time be ascsrtaised with a
view rf settling the question isI ae-
cordance with the present public de
sire.
senator Cuilom 90 Wednesday en-
sleavoresl to show that the people Of
Ecx Perez. shoshoae aud Idaho coun-
Ties we're decidedly opposed 30 dis-
uaernhesmeni, but the records Of the
controversy. which is nos one OF more
than ten years standing. seem to
Indicate that the contrary opinion
has prevailed and tina. the majority Of
She people have always been and are
now in favor Of annexation 10 Wash
ington. In the constitutional conven'
tion held at Walla walia In 1879, the
northern counties OF Idaho were rep
resented and ON a popular vote in
those counties to ratify that constitu-
tion only thlrtyfour votes out Of near
" eight hundred were polled against
H. To convince congress that there
had been no change in public opinion
since ISIS. the question Was submitted
70 a popular vote in isso. and the n
suit showed 1910 votes In favor Of an
nexation and only seven against. This
legislature Of Washington in ISIS
passed memorial for an enabling act
" include the northern counties o.
Idaho. and the lower house OF the
Idaho legislature passed memorial
10 The effect that when Washington
should be admitted the northern ceHn.
ties OF Idaho should become part 81
the new state. In the eleeiion ug isss
when This was The vital issue Of the
campaign. Mr. slngiser. who was
pledged 30 annexation. received IN
North Idaho majority of itta votes
out Of 1881. In 1854 the conventions
OF both political parties Inverted 10
their platforms, planks supporting the
claims Of North Idaho FOR annexation,
ami IN issl. Mf. Dabois. who said he
roalsi not advocate annexation i
elected ~ congress, was defeated In
North Idaho by $50 votes. Neg fefse
county at that time veied on sfe
question With result ut ifsa for an
nexailon and ?. against.
The desire Of che people Of Northern
idaio 10 be included within The limits
OF The new state Of Washington i a
natural one. There has never been
good feeling or harmony between she
north ana south division oi the seFsi-
tory. They arc separated by nstesal
boundary IA the form Of mountain
barrier, which i almoS, impas,ihle in
summer aad utterly 80 IN winter. and
because OF tAis renlotcnesS Of position.
communication wiih The territorial
seat VI government I, difficult ans shs
administrator o. tsrritorial affairs
iahoriou- ans unsatl siaeiAry tiee-
graphically Northern Idaho is past
Of Washington. hcsns portion Of
that vast country knewa f. tlse Go
fufahsa River Basin. iatsscosrse &c.
tween Washington and TIE ranhsnslis
l. natural and easy, While on account
Of the isolated oonditien q the north
err part Of the territory consequent
upon political connection vita : So
ton from which it Is practically sep
aratssi. the psoeress Of Noyshcra idahs
Is impcaad ana a. Advancement re
tarslsd immcaSurably
Beyond a doaht the opposition d
annexation comes feesn Seuskers
Idaho. The people q whi.h loeslits
believe that Acknowledgement VIII Sc
lay Tor some years theirowa sdspl-si0,
int shc rnsoa, This Is uaaeuk tsli,
true. bat with chs Panhandle auaese.
10 Washington, idsho voald s.il BE- !
compact aad nstsgal r'ait'Sal aisi ic'
enthfaeine an ares q eae7o Nlrafs
mile. larger IN extent than Alabama
Arkansas, 6eergis, Illinois, tr.aans
Iowa. Kansas, MEsuesosa- Nessssss
New York. penpsslvanls ar Nisson