The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-09-28
STATEHOOD AN ABSURDITY

A correspondent writing to tn
Idaho Democrat of a latedate make
the following comments upon tn
question of statehood for Idaho:
The Statesman of September 4tl
makes frantic effort to counterac
what it justly admitted to be tru
in is issue of August Doth: Tha
"our merchants complain that will
license and heavy taxation an un
just burden is placed upon them,
ETC., and says, "we admit no sucl
burden" Now, the question is, wh'
| tells the truth, those merchants VIII,
have borne those burdens for year.
and paid into the treasury thous
ands of dollars in taxes, or the lat'
Statesman chief, who has paid very
little, if any, revenue for the sup.
port Of the territorial government
Again, that paper says: "Nor viii
State government bring any such
burdens. On the contrary, State
hood will bring millions of dollars
and thousands of men to Idaho to
develop our immense resources and
share our burdens. Such has beer
the result Of statehood in every ter.
ritory hitherto save in Nevada, in
whose status we have nothing in
common"
There never was a more false and
misleading assertion ever uttered,
because we have the same dry eli
mate and arid lands; the same
character of mines, only not so rich
nor in such paying quantities; nor
have we as much wealth or popu-
lation as Nevada had when she
sought to assume statehood. And
yet her people repudiated the con-
stitution when first submitted by a
large majority, and had it not been
for the hungry, of1ice-seeking polit-
ical shysters, who had all to gain
and nothing to lose, Nevada to-day
would have been a prosperous ter
ritory instead of so-called state
and the laughing-stock of the world.
In further proof of the falsity of the
Statesman's statehood assertion,
Oregon has been a state for more
than 80 years, while her neighbor,
Washington territory, to-day has
more wealth and population than
she has. So also has Montana, and
they both will continue to lead her
whether they become states or not,
because those territories have the
natural resources to attract the cap
italist, the immigrant and the wage
worker, all of whom can find profit
able employment and each in his
proper sphere. This is why they have
become celebrated and are justly
meriting the combined admiration
Of the world, and not because of
their mere assumption of statehood.
Whenever a country can assure
people of other countries that it has
a good climate, good soil, good
tiidl hSt dlu ~" ta-ASS, AZ AS SdaS w
prosper; but if it be known that
you already have five per cent taxes
and that the proposed statehood
scheme will add very much more to
this heavy burden, immigrants of
,il classes will not only be deferred |
from coming but it will drive many |
people already here out of the ter
ritory.
Idaho is too poor at present to
carry on state government, espe-
tally one with such enormous sal
aries as the present constitution I
to pay her officers, as
ew figures will readily demonstrate
,y comparison with the average
compensation paid in other states
more populous and much richer
han we are, as for instance, fifteen
states of the American Union, with
IN everage population of 100000
md $275,OO0,0OO in wealth, only
,ay an average salary to their gov
rnors of 81 $50 per annum; while
daho, with about $4,000 people
md less than $22,OOO,0OO in prop
rty, wishes to pay her executive
g, 900 with probable contingent
# travelling expenses of another
j 900 per year, or in excess OF two
birds more. Those states also pay
heir legislators an average OF S3.W
er diem for their services, but the
tate of Idaho is willing to pay her
aw.makers $500 per day, or $2.OO
1ore than the great state OF New ;
'ork paid hers up to within a few
ears Of the present time. These {
fteen states also pay their district
ldges an average salary OF S2,5OO
er annum-and in some states :
10000 population is district
hile we promise to pay the same :
fficers So, 600 per annum, or twenty !
er cent more, and with districts OF !
,ss than 10000 people, or four 8
mes less. And so | might 60 on
trough the whole routine OF Offices
- I lo ,orrocnordinU results