The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-12
THE CLAIMS OF WASHINGTON
They are Stated by the New York
Tribune.
All The Requirements Of Population.
Material Development. Situation
and Public spiris-Aa Interesting
and Important statement.
Nes Yets Tns.lns. Dec. ..

New York Tribans. Dec. J.
Washington Territory stands clearly
next to the Dako:as in the line Of pro-
motion to statehood. It's claim Is sup
ported. not only By the size and char
acter OF It's population, but By the
rapidity Of its Development. The re-
rorts OF the governors % the various
territories, Just made 10 the interior
department. give the following esti-
mates as to population;
Dakota. 199-oyo
Utah 'Ll1t1D
washington . ls6 70
View Mexico i3s.s q
Montana 40 900
IdahO los 500
wyoming 800
Arizona census Of issEj....s. --.... s3.97s
There need be no argument as to the
exclusion OF Utah for some years %
least. Putting the Mormon province
aside. Washington ranks next. Its
progress has not been 50 marvellous
a. that Of Dakota, bat il has never
tbeless been both rapid and sure. The
population has nearly doubled in five
wears, and the growth in prosperity.
rs shown by the taking up Of vacant
lands, the increase OF taxable property
and the development Of lumber. min
ing and other industries. i equally
striking. During the year ending
June 20 last t9i,3sf acres Of govern
ment lands were taken by pre-eInpti0r
homes cad and desert land en-
tries. which are those usually
Yes9rted 10 By actual settlers.
The Northern Pacific Railroad
soI4 during the same period rs 10
acre. TO 1913 purchasers. being an
average Of l73 acres Tor each. This
gives a total Of J50si acres disposed
OF b. actual settlers, the greater part
Of which viii doubtless be used for
agriculture. This i an area equal 10
about two-fifths 81 the Dew Hand
opened In Dakota during the same
period. and makes a remarkable show
ing. considering that Washington Is
not so distinctively an agricultural
country as the larger territory. Be
sides these, there were other entries
under the land laws. bringing the total
sales 10 .2g2,473 acre. There are
.i97 miles OF railway in the territory.
By the assessment rolls it, taxable
property has increased from SIS 81 ,l2222
In ls7s to S3i ,G2l ,1s2 ia isss. q gain of
tAF. - r-fff tit ~ AtaE "a may NC wat
the estimates OF population in most Of
these territories should be discounted
somewhat on account OF local pride
and a natural anxiety OF all citizens to
reach the figure requisite Tor admi sion
10 the Union. But as Governor eemple
quantity remarks in his report /.
There can never be any doubt about
the conservatism OF Il statement OF
taH fFsrgs al ROLL
Whatever else an average American
citizen may neglect, he never f0rgets
10 beat down the assessor IL j. safe,
therefore to assume that this valuation
Is moderate one.
The lack OF facilities for the coliec-
ton OF statistics has made the cover
nor's report somewhat meagre in re-
spect 20 the development OF various
industries. Enough is known how
ever 20 show that rapid progress is
being made. Within the year direct
shipments OF tea from China and ia
pan have begun to pass through the
ports Of Washington on their way to
The Mississippi valley and the East.
Ores from mines in the interior are
beginning to seek tide-w alter, and the
Weld OF hreadstuiis, fruit, fish, lumber
aud shingles has so increased that all
the railroads are said TO be seriously
embarrassed for want OF ears to meet
the traffic. Stock-raisiug is a growing
industry, and the governor declars
that more inquiries have been made
at his Office Tor information on this
subject than upon any other. Mining
is developing, and will play large
part in the future prosperity Of Wash
ingtun.
The situation Of Washington Is one
OF its claims TO statehood. Holding
the northwest corner of the frame
work Of the Union. IL has magnih-
cent coast line ON the Pacific Its
commerce viii in time be great, when
both labor and capital are at hand 10
make productive its vast forests, rich
mines and fertile fields lts popula-
ton, too, is OF an admirable class. In
this respect il is rs far apart In char
aeter as IL Is in distance from New
Mexico. the admission OF which Is
urged on the ground of having an
almost equal population, New Mex
leo is largely inhabited by Il mongrel
class OF MeXicanS and Indians. while
a large majority OF the population OF
Washington come from hardy Amer
lean stock, men of courage and enter
prise animated by the spirit OF
pioneers A proof OF this is found in
the interest taken in education, and
in the liberal provision made by the
people for schools aud colleges. There
Is every rca on why Washington
should be promptly admitted into the
family of states