Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-12-27
ADMISSION OF NEW STATES.

territories in the Northwest plainly for
the reason that such admission would
add strength TO the Republican party
in Congress. Soon after the present
session opened, it appearing evident
that the next Congress would be Re-
publican, the Democrats began to move
towards the admission of the waiting
territories. 1t was thought at first that
il was little scheme by which they
would claim the credit of doing what
they knew the republicans would do as
soon as they came into possession OF
the government. A little closer exam
ination discloses the fact that they are
seeking to throw such obstacles in the
way of their admission as shall keep
these waiting states out in the cold un-
til possibly such a time as the demo-
Gratis may recover in measure from
their recent 'sset-back" and are able 10
/ formulate some new scheme. Mr..
! Springer's bill has been so amended as
to postpone justice indefinitely. Ii re-
quires that Dakota shall vote upon the
question of division. This is foolish,
such vote having already been taken.
1t is proposed to give to each of the
Dakotas only one representative in
Congress. This is unjust for South
Dakota after the division would have
a population Of 10000 more than is re-
quired for two representatives, and the
new constitution is not to be submitted
to the people until next November keep
ing them waiting almost a year. But
the fact is that South Dakota and also
Montana have already adopted consti-
tutions in proper form. The bill sim
ply authorizes the holding of conyen-
tons, but after the framing of a con-
stitution il would be necessary for Con-
gress to pass formal act of admission.
A majority of the states that have been
admitted since the formation of the I'm
ion have come in without enabling acts
following the adoption Of a constitution.
We gather some statements respecting |
this matter from the Tribune which re-
veal the unenviable light in which the |
democratic party stands before the |
country. Colorado was one Of the lat
est states to be admitted. Congress
passed an enabling act under which
state constitution was framed and rati-
fed by the people. Later, the Pres
ident, as directed by the enabling act,
the admission of Colorado
without any further legislation. Neva-
da came in in the same way. Oregon
framed constitution as South Dakota
and Montana have done, through
organized under the direc-
ton of the Territorial legislature. Con-
gress accepted this and admitted the
state in 1853. California was never a
Territory. A convention was called
by the Military Governor, constitu-
ton was framed and ratified by the peo-
pie and admission followed. Iowa pre-
pared a constitution in meeting of del
egates without any authorization of
Congress. On the strength of this the
state was admitted. Afterwards dis
pute arising about the boundaries, an
other constitution was framed and ac-
cepted. and under this the state was
finally admitted. Florida came in un-
der the same bill as Iowa, having pre-
viously organized itself into free and
state. Michigan was adj
mitted after Congress had secured GER
tain amendments TO the constitution
which the people had adopted. Arkan-
sas was admitted without an enabling
act, after having framed a constitution.
Ohio came in in peculiar Manner
a constitution was not submitted to the
people, and without any direct act Of
admission, Congress declared it to have
become state of the Union. The
constitution of Tennessee was not sub
nitted to the popular vote but the state
vas admitted under it. Vermont and
Kentucky were admitted with constitu-
ions prepared beforehand, although in {
little different man er. Nearly one
,alf the states admitted since the Union
- ea,,,,ad have framed constitutions !