, 1889-07-07

the cost of independence and good govern
ment, or OF well founded means to pro-
mote industrial and material prosperity.
NEEDS OF HOME GOVERNMENT.
Independence aside, will anyone hest
tate to pay a paltry cost Tor perfect. com
plete home government, by public serv-
ants, elected by, identified with, and re-
sponsible to the people? Have we then
reason to believe that our industrial and
material prosperity will be enhanced by
Wyoming taking her position as a state?
The history of our sister territories bears
out the fact-the voices OF those who have
seen and felt the tonic-the stimulus in
iected into the veins and arteries of trade,
commerce, agriculture, mining, public
works. and all industrial pursuits, unite
IN attribnting to statehood n principal
agency in working the transformation. The
very fact that no great strides have ever
been made by the territories ahead of
statehood argues the efficacy of the move.
Statehood is practically setting up bust
ness on our W account with a certain
capital and a definite purpose and respon-
slbility. This will naturally breed re
newed energy n &C operative effort, d.
ACNNCu W bihl NlsuOh WHICH hlItnuS men
ana people, WHO, acting for themselves,
count all costs, work all available factors,
and employ all fair means.
ADVANTAGES OF HOME GOVERNMENT.
The outside world of immigration, labor,
capital, speculation, investment and EN-
terprise; invariably fight shy of a territory.
1t may be a senseless i~diosyncrasy. but it
is a fact, and if we desire to court these
aids we must adapt ourselves to their
tastes and demands. Our present condi-
ton, with capital wary, immigration halt
ing on our borders and crowding along
the Colorado and Nebraska lines, instead
OF crossing over and possessing the goodly
lands OF Wyoming, our vast mining re-
sources in a condition of partial paralysis,
from want of money to break the seal to
their treasures; our coal and oil fields but
being tickled by ~prospectors. all are silent
yet significant testimonials of the disin-
inclination of all these factors, necessary
for the development of our to
make ventures in a territory. If the past
history of other territories is a guide,
statehood would remove the Objectionable
feature Of u position to the outside world
whose money, enterprise, labor, and CO.
80 I'll ehAb 10 ANluAlCu W ndhG
Wyoming the peer, if not the envy of any
geographical section OF the great west. In
her natural resources, comprising among
others, illimitable grazing, at least ten
million acres of available agricultural soil,
as many more of timber land, the largest
coal area and the most extensive oil
fields on the continent, she lies fallow for
capital, labor and enterprise to Join hands
with her present pioneers, under a state
government, in building up an inter ocean
empire, capable of sustaining in at~iuence,
six million people.
COLLATERAL QUESTIONS.
II has not been within the scope of my
purpose to discuss the methods which
should be employed to secure the great
boon desired. 1t may be proper to say,
however, that wisdom and prudence
should prompt all who sincerely desire
the territory's admission to de-
clare une9uivocally against the
constitutional convention assuming
to do any act other han that clearly
within the line of their duty. The folly
OF any attempt to p~recipitate an election
for state officials, prior to an enabling act
by congress, is apparent to all thinking
men, and is condemned by the conserya-
tism of both political parties.
In conclusion, | desire to say that my
endeavor has been in the preparation of
this article to state fairly, and to discuss
honestly, the full measure and force of
the one tenable objection raised against
statehood, namely: the increased ex-
pense. | have endeavored to reach the
most reliable estimate possible of the GER
tain increase in expenses necessarily Incl
dent to statehood. The case is before
you. There can be no wisdom or good
policy in trying to deceive the people;
nothing can be gained by c~oloring or
clouGing the facts. For myself, the
necessary increase in expenses is dwarfed
by the almost certain advantages to be
gained. Statehood, sooner or later is
inevitable. 1t is the natural and neces-
sary evolution from a territorial condition:
whenever 1t occurs the same relative in-
crease in expense, in consequence of the
change may be expected. If we see
that WI can carry the burden without
harm or inconvenience, is it not wise and
polite to take 1t up at the earliest posi-
bic moment and reap the rich harvest of
advantages which will surely be showered
upon the citizens and industries of the
new state? Personally, | shall hail the
morn of the coming day when n forty
third star shall be emblazoned on the blue
field Of our national emblem, the brilliancy
of whose rays from the plains and noun
tam peaks of Wyoming, shall proclaim to
the world the birth of the OUNCE and
falrest daughter in the sisterhood of
states, to be in truth and reality, and re-
main forever, the very capstone of the
Great Republic.
GEO. w. BAXTER.