The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-10-12
The Vote Upon the Constitution.

On the 9Th Of next month Il
people of the Territory of Idat
have been notified that they will
called upon to vote for or again
constitution which was frame
by convention of delegates whic
convened on the 4th of July las
in pursuance of proclalnatio
issued by Governor Stevenson o.
the I'd day of April, to the peopl
OF Idaho, recommending them t.
take the necessary steps prelimin
airy to asking admission for Idah
into the Union as a State. Gov
ernor George L. Shoup now issues
proclamation urging every electo
in the territory to read the consti
tuition carefully, and without pre-
judlce," and recommending that
ION election day, every legal voter
irrespective of party, cast his
vote conscientiously for or against
the constitution" He further rec.
omends that the Honorable Board
of Commissioners of each county
in the territory will provide for con-
Quoting the election as contemplate
ed by the constitution"
There is no question of the sim
cerity and purity of Gov. Shoup's
motives in issuing this proclama-
ton. The Governor has been an
earnest and consistent advocate of
statehood ever since the movement
first began to be agitated. But with
all due respect to the Governors
enthusiasm, we beg leave to criti-
CHE his recommending the county
commissioners of the several coun-
ties to "provide for conducting the
election as contemplated by the
constitution" provide for con-
ducting," we understand to mean,
prGoidtng for the payment Of the neces-
sdry expenses Of hotdtng such an election.
However, it is merely recon-
mendation, not an order, and Gov
ernor Shoup, as we'll as every other
taxpayer in the territory, knows
that the county commissioners have
no legal authority to appropriate
one dollar of the peoples money
for the purpose of defraying the
expense of an election wholly un-
authorized by law.
The KEYSTONE has had occasion
heretofore to express its opposition
to the present agitation of the state
hood question, not from any oppo-
sltlon to statehood, nor from any
particular objection to the consti-
tuition as framed but from a sim
cere conviction that Idaho is not
yet equipped with the essential
requisites to warrant such a change /
n her form of government. Espe- 4
Tally is she lacking in the promi- i
lent item of sufficient population. a
This important consideration has
'een greatly exaggerated, and con- !
customs in regard to the number {
nave been arrived at more from
conjecture than from sober, solid s
investigation of facts. 1t would a
AVE been better for the people of 1
daho, and for themselves. if those a
Who have been So exceedingly act .
We IN agitating the admission ques- il
ion had possessed little more a
'atience and waited until the GEN. Il
US OF 1880 had been taken. When d
hat work is completed it will pre- ,
ent FACTS in regard to the real D
ondltlon of affairs in Idaho, and II
rovlde basis from which to make n
ellable calculations, instead of de- p
upon random guessing. y
The indifference of great mum. .,
ef OF the people of Idaho upon the :. :.
ubJect of statehood is manifest " "
nd the small total of the vote =
hich will be cast on the 9Th of a.
ovember will be a detriment to !
lture chances for change from ~
to a state form of gov ~
'nment for Idaho, rather than a u =,
commentator. Il
We agree with a correspondent - -
the Malad Enterprise who SAYS v,
Idaho has been doing pretty we'll as y;
sritory; some taxpayers think it would -
proper just now to wear our silken III
akles little longer We are liable I, A
disappointed IN the Outcome If oto+o
'oh; there may not follow u wonderful!
nux OF people and 'foreign capital"
sh taxes are sure to follow, and to de-. In
fapid settlement as we'll as TO turn of
'ay capital seeking investment. tisa A,
torlous fact that the business interests IN
the District Of Columbia and all who ~
'of economy in public affairs in the ~
J OF Washington. are opposed to even IN
f'torial legislation there. and all ear an
cheerfully stand by the system OF lif
e IN which they have no popular choice. co
1nr young men who are ambitious to III,
IRE consplcuously ia affairs OF state ~
well afford to wait little longer for NC
sa1ety IN greater numbers, larger in an
tments with lower taxation Our in
DOL lands will not now sell for very an
Gu, but they can be kept. Our ponu. We,
ION Is probably not more than one of
70 the ratio, under the next census. for ~
in the next House of vi
and it is improbable PEI
I congress will consent to the creation Of
'nother state like that of Nevada. civ
. uls
q STATEMENT made hy H.