The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-17
GOVERNOR sHoUP AND STATEHOOD.

Governor SHoUP, of Idaho, has issued a
proclamation in connection with the pro
posed state convention. It might more ap-
propriately be described as an argument
in favor of statehood. 1t was evidently
issued for the purpose of ''bracing up
those who are opposing the state govern
ment proposition on the ground that the
additional expense will not be Offset by the
escape from the territorial rule
Governor SHoUP makes an interesting
and strong plea, though one which the
enemies to statehood viii be apt to pune
ture in certain places. He begins by de-
nouncing the territorial system with
greater directness than we are accustomed
10 see in those who hold federal commits
sions in the territories. As rule the fed
eral officials can find nothing wrong in the
unrepublican system which has been pro
vided for the government Of the depend
encies. Governor SHoUP, however, is not
a carpet-bagger. He IS one Of the Oldest
residents of Idaho, and having lived for a
score of years, more or less, in the terri
tory, he knows how infamous a thing a
territorial government is. Hence he be
gins his proclamation by declaring:
Whereas The people of Idaho are now living
under foIm of territorial government little
petter than colonial system under foreign rule,
whereby they are debarTed from participating in
any election for President and pice-President
of the United States, have no vote in either
house of Congress, and have no voice in the Sc
lection Of the most important officers OF the terri
tory, executive or judicial; and
Whereas, The people OF Idaho are DESTROYS OF
exercising the rights and privileges guaranteed
10 free and loyal people under the constitution
OF the United States, and to organize a state
government preparatory to admission TO the
federal union, believing that they have sufficient
population and wealth 10 Justify such an under
taking:
1t does one good to hear the governor Of
a territory talk the truth courageously in
this manner, though we cannot but think
that SHoUP is endangering his official head
by assailing the system which makes him
governor. and which Congresses persist
emily refuse to change for a better one
which will recognize that Americans are
citizens of the republic everywhere within
the borders of The union.
The governors proclamation is devoted
almost exclusively to discussion of the
economic question involved. He shows
that as a matter of fact the cost of a state
government over that of territorial would
be insignificant, as the federal treasury
contributes to the support of the territory
but SIS, 600 a year, while the other territOr-
ial expenses met by the taxpayers average
SIC, 600 year. Including the county eX-
penses the total amount annually paid by
the taxpayers of Idaho is 1858, 600, the gen
eral government paying only 900. The
figures being correct, the showing made by
the governor is convincing one. The
slightly increased taxation would be as
nothing compared with the rights and
privileges which would come to citizens
with statehood.
But Governor SHOUT goes further, and
saws that with the admission of Idaho the
United States will give the state land ag-
gregating 3,5OS, 24O acres, which at present
prices would bring fund the interest on
which would amount to three times the
present territorial revenue. Thus, state
hood would really lessen the burden of
taxation instead of increasing it.
All through, the argument is clever one
and does credit to the governor. 1t should
make SHoUP United States Senator in the
event of the statehood scheme succeeding
But in spite of all this, and eager as we
are to see the miserable dependencies
abolished and American citizens in the en-
joyment of all their rights, no matter on