, 1889-11-24
THE MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS-


ceedinRly creditable document from every
point of view. 1t is well written, thor
oughly digested, consecutive, and the
facts are presented lucidly and strongly.
The memorial committee consisted of
John A. Riner. Clarence d. Clark, John
w, Hoyt. Henry 8. Elliott, VIM. @. IT.
vine, Henry A. Colleen, II. G. Nicker-
son. j. A. Casebeer and f. s. N. Nor
gan. These gentlemen have certainly well
performed their labors.
The committee says that during the
nearly twenty one years OF the organiza-
ton of the territory the people of Wyo-
ming have with energy, industry and
becoming patience labored to reclaim
the vast region of country en-
braced within its boundaries confident
that, when sufficiently populous and SUI
f%ciently developed to Justify such action,
the territory would be cheerfully accorded
the full benefits of statehood.
They speak of the unanimous report of
the senate committee on territories to the
United States senate Of q bill admitting
Wyoming on the ground OF its vast and
varied resources, very considerable de-
velopment. its high financial standing. ex-
cellent provisions for education as well as
charities and the sufficient population.
They refer to the introduction of a SINH.
lar bill into the house and the making Of
a similar report by the house committee
on territories and then detail the various
steps taken in the territory which subse-
quently led up to the framing of a con-
s%titution and its adoption by a fve-sixth
vote of the people.
They consider that the conditions to be
fulfilled by a territory seeking admission
are these: First, that the boundaries of
the proposed state are free from the en-
barrassment of conflicting claims and
should include such reasonable area as
will insure the strength and competency
of the future state. They point out the
fact that ~the..boundaries of Wyoming are
precisely those originally established by
congress and that itsarea is 90. 900 square
miles.
Seconds to the sufioiency OF mater
ial foundation. Our resources are scarcely
surpassed in extent and variety by any
equal area. Our mineral are
enumerated.
1t is admitted that the resources of a
territory seeking admission should have
been so far developed as to furnish the re.
quisite guaranty of ability on the part of
the new state to support a state govern
ment and to perform its part as a mem
Der Of the family Of states.
This point has been reached by Wy
oming there is no room Tor doubt. Not
withstanding the recent heavy losses IN
the department OF live stock. the total
assessed valuation of property has reached
in 1889 the sum OF $3l, ABB, 495-a valua-
ton representing a real wealth of not less
than 800. DOC. 900; including 900 miles of
railway equipment; 5,sSS, $40 acres of
land assessed; 4.50s miles OF irrigating
bitches. for the irrigation Of 1000, 900
acres of land and valued by the territorial
engineer at $40, 900, 900; about 5000. 600
head of live stock; together with a largo
amount in roads. bridges and otl.er gem
eral improvements, besides developed
mines Chose Of coal alone being valued at
$lo.000.O 900 and yielding : 1000. 900 to
IS. o GOO worth of coal annually,
with mills. furnaces and factories.
and the very considerable amounts
in cities and villages, characterized by the
substantially and even elegance of their
structures, both public and private. Pos
sessing all these, and adding thereto her
and her banks, increased from one ma
tional bank in 1871 with capital of 49,
900 to nineteen banks national and pri-
vate in 1889, with a total capital of ST.
$4,000, Wyoming is abundantly able to
make comparison Of her industrial devel-
opment and financial condition with those
OF any Of the territories that have gained
admission since the formation of the
Union-more than able to compare with
many, US, for example, with California.
whose assessable wealth assuming that it
was assessed at even GO per cent Of its true
value) at the date Of its admission was
$l3.2e7, 1913; Arkansas. whose valuation
fourteen years after admission was $l9.-
600, 900; Florida. whose valuation four
years after admission was Sl3, 400, 900;
Iowa, whose valuation four years after adj
mission was $4,000, 900; Oregon, whose
valuation two years after admission was
1904, 900; and Kansas, whose valua-
ton at the date of admission was but $22,-
52s. 232.
1t is admitted that there should be such
number of people with such intelligence
and virtue as will constitute a reasonable
guaranty Of a successful and honorable
career for the new state.
Touching the question Of mere numbers
in this case. 1t is proper to say that it is Of
necessity Amatter Of estimate on the basis OF