, 1889-07-07
QUESTION OF EXPENSES
They Will be Greater Under State
Than Territorial Rule,
But There Will be Many Compen-
sating Advantages.
A Letter on the Subject That will
be Read With Interest.


that the freest and fullest discussion should
be invited when any question of great i'm
portance is betore'the public for consider
alton, | desire to offer, through the col
umns of your journal, a few suggestions
touching Wyoming's proposed admission
as a state. Many loose statements have
been made for and against the movement
for statehood, and more particularly as
affecting the question of taxation. Upon
the occasion of Governor Warren's taking
the oath of Office on the ninth day OF
April last, in speaking Of Wyoming's ad-
mission, he said:
1T Is now time to inquire: DO we, as
citizens of Wyoming, desire statehood
And, If so, shall we, as a people, ask for
early admission To better enable us to
reach a conclusion it is necessary to deter
mine whether statehood will be attended
by an increase in taxation. This can be
readily as~certained by a comparison of the
addition to our public revenues resulting
from admission with the amount now paid
by the United States toward the terrific
rial government There need be no in.
crease in the public expenses now annu-
any plONldtu U ny Jul l6RlsldluTt anu
congress. The surveyor general and other
land officers, United States marshal,
United States attorney, United States
Judges, senators and members of congress
will, after admission, be paid by the
United States, so there remains only the
state judiciary, governor, secretary, and
legislative expenses to provide for in ad
dition to those now paid for IRON the ter
ritorial treasury. Taking the last six an
nual appropriations for Wyoming, which
cover the period from 1884, to June 80.
1890, the federal & government will rave
paid to the territory an average of S25, $50
per annum. The expenditure of this
amount, even in the entire absence of any
additional revenue, would increase our
taxation only about eight-tenths of a mill
on the dollar. During the year 1888, we
were assessed for a special purpose-the
building of a capitol-two and one hall
mills, and for 1889 it will be about the
same for similar purposes; but this will be
discontinued as unnecessary hereafter, so
that without additional income we can
ave a state government as comprehen-
sive as the territorial system. under which
the people will be permitted to govern
and regulate their own affairs, and be
fully represented in congress with all the
resulting benefits, with a tax of one and
seven-tenths mills less than that levied
last year.
RECKLESS ESTIMATES.
At a recent joint meeting OF Republic
cans and Democrats in this city, the Hon.
j. NJ. Carey, delegate to congress from
the territory, made the declaration that in
his opinion the expenses of conducting
nur nublI. Affairs unlar n ptata ,nuorn
ment would not exceed seventy-fve per
cent, OF what We are now paying out an
uually under present conditions, and pub
LEFTY was given the same through the
press of this city. In private conversa-
tons he has placed his estimates as low as
sixty per cent. As one earnestly DESTROYS
for the territory admission at the earliest
possible day, | hope there may be some
basis Tor these opInions-my own inves-
legations lead me to dissent from both as
inaccurate and misleading. In any judi
cious effort to further the terrItory's ad-
mission, it is essential that the people
have an intelligent appreciation of the f.
%nanciai differences which the Institution
and operation OF a state government will,
in all reasonable anticipation, involve.
1t is all important, $50 far as may be
posslble), that w get at the facts-that
we do not deceive ourselves-that we
guard against delusive speculation. Are
the above statements true2 Can they be
substantiated? | think not.
WHAT THE BILL PROVIDES.
Senate bill No. PAS, under the provi-
sions of which the present movement tor
statehood has been inaugurated, after
authorizing the holding of a constitutional
convention, and designating its time and
place of meeting, fixing the number of
delegates and the manner of their election,
and enioinidg upon the unborn constitu-
ton, certain fundamental principles of lib.
erty, Justice and equality, provide:
First: That the title to sections l6 and
Sc in every township within the bounda-
ries of the territory, with certain exemp-
tons, shall pass to the state for the sup
port of public schools. In case any such
sections, or parts of sections, shall prove
to be mineral lands. or shall have been
sold or otherwise disposed of by act of
congress-, provision is made for the selec-
ton OF an equal acreage from the public
lands. For all such sections as may be
embraced within the boundaries of In
dian or military reservations, the state
shall have the right of selection of other
lands, only, when said reservations shall
have been extinguishPd and restored to
the public domain. For such sections as
lie within the National Park, or other res
ervations for national purposes there shall
be no indemnity.
Second: That seventy-two sections, or
in round figures 46, 1000 acres of land shall
be granted to said state for university pur-
poses. All lands heretofore granted to the
territory by congress for this purpose
shall be applied as against this grant.
The one section heretofore granted to
the territory for a fish hatchery passes to
the state.
Third: That go, 900 acres of land shall
be granted to the state for the use and
support of an agricultural college.
Fourth. That l00, 900 acres of land
shall be granted to the state for the main.
tenance of a scientific school.
Fifth: That 100000 acres of land
shall be granted to the state for the main
t~cnance OF state normal schools.
! Sixth; That 300, COO acres of land hal