The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-15
THE usIos.
A IL VIII Soon Be-The incoming
Territories.

Territories.
New York Tribune.
Not maay realize, perhaps. that the
circle Is nearing completion. AT their
present rate of progress il cannot be
many years before sill Of the Western
territories viii be graduated into
states, and the Union that began a
century ago as a narrow strip along
the Atlantic will have grown into a
gigantic empire OF self-governing
commonwealth, stretching from
ocean to ocean. The admission OF the
Dakotas, Montana and Washington
cannot be delayed more than few
months. This measure will erect into
states the whole of the vast territory
forming oar northern boundary from
the west line of Minnesota To
the Pacific ocean. with The ex-
ception of the narrow strip
of Idaho which runs up between
Montana and Washington, and
touches the border OF British Columbia.
Leaving out of consideration the In
dian Territory, whose position is
anomalous, and whose future relations
to the Union involve the whole ques-
ton OF Indian citizenship. there will
remain after the admission OF the Da-
kotas, Montana and Washington, only
i've territories awaiting promotion.
OF these two, Utah and New Mexico,
have already more than the population
recognized as the unit OF representa-
ton. Utah will never be admitted so
long as IL continues 20 be Mormon
province, but the day when the au-
II rft .stt A.
preme there will be fastened both hy
Immigration aad by internal changes.
New Mexico Is receiving large Access
sions of intelligent and enterprising
Americans, ana its admission also Is
only question of time. Ii has been
proposed that Arizona, which was
part of New Mexico when ii was or
gained as territory in 1850, and cut
off from il i3 years later, should he re-
united to IL. and that the two should
be admitted as one state on the ground
that they are much alike in physical
peculiarities and in character OF popu-
iation. But the present tendency is
divide territories rather than TO unite
them. and ii may be taken for granted
that when these two territories are adj
fnitted TO the Union it will be as two
in order of population as estimated in
the latest reports, Montana having
ai0, 600. which has probably increased
since the estimate was made. aud
Idaho, 10000; Wyoming comes next
with IS 600, and Arizona, by a census
taken more than six years ago, was
shown TO have IS 600. which has doubt
less considerably increased since that
time. There has been talk of dividing
Idaho into two states, North and
South, but there seems now 10 be no
probability of this.
The admission of the four new
Northwestern states will undoubtedly
greatly stimulate immigration, not
only there, but 10 the remaining terri
tories, sad IL is likely that before 100
ali OF them viii have been received
into the Union. If We indulge cur
fancy sufficiently 10 suppose that by
that time the Indians viii have been
made citizens, and the Indian
Territory sill have been erected
into a state. the Union will
consist OF forty-eight states, there
will be IS stars on the flag where there
are 81, and the membership Of the
senate will be SIS instead of .6 as now,
making IL still one OF the smallest of
the important legislative bodies of the
world. When this process has been
completed there viii be literally no
more states TO adopt. unless our neigh
hors across the Canada borsser
conclude To come in and
make one circle OF the great
English-speaking family in America.
Allof the states Yet Ia come IN are
of vast size. The smallest Is an EN-
pire, beside which the Empire Stale
seems almost puny. Yet the ropula-
tons are not large enough TO adnait ot
division now, except in the case OF
Dakota, aud the anxiety felt in all Ia
gain admission will effecfualty prevent
the growth any sentiment In favor OF
division. Once IN the Union, expert
enee shows that division, except under
phenomenal circumstances. ike
those of the two Nirginias, seems
an inlpoSsihliity. The people
of Texas have the right 10 demand
under their organic law it, division
into several states, thus multiplying
their present power in the senate. but
the very suggestion Of such an idea
ouIy few months ago was received
hs the press with universal rEdicoie.
The same proposition has been made
California, only 10 be
secuted. IL has often been proposed
that New York city and the Surround
ing territory should be set of as one
state. and the remainder of the state
as another, bat we venture TO say that
10 would I've as easy 10 divide Londen
from England a. % induce the people
of New York "a sacrifice their Just
t4rf.3a ia this great >xNna man wealth