Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-06-28
THE PACIFIC COAST AND THE AID
MINISTRATION.

senator w lllldIn NJ. stewart mas Deen |
interviewed by metropolitan journal |
upon the general subject of the position
occupied by the Pacific coast in national |
affairs. Senator Stewards expressions will |
always receive most respectful attention |
because of the statesmanlike qualities of
the gentleman, as well as because of his |
broad and ripe experience in public af-
fairs
He says that in speaking of the Pacific
coast ne means that portion of the United
States west of the Tooth meridian, line
about midway between the two oceans.
This gives to the Pacific section about one
half of the territorial area of the United
States. He says that nearly all of the
public lands, and all of the Indian tribes
are included in this area; that nearly all
the mines of precious metals, as well as
baser metals, are found in this region.
Thus the territorial area designated by the
Pacific coast, embraces in its territory,
nearly all of the mines Of precious metals,
% per cent. perhaps of the unsold lands in
The public domain, all the Indian tribes,
and thus a vast realm of executive admin
istration relates to matters local to the
territory under consideration. Mr.. Stew
art says very properly: at goes without
The saving that local information is neces-
sary to the proper administration of the
laws of a new and growing country like
this. But strange as 1t may appear, there
is no man holding an Office in any Execu-
tive department of the Government at
Washington, who resides in the western
half OF the territory of the United
States"
When this state of affairs is duly con-
sdered, it constitutes most sweeping in
dictment against the administration of the
Government. The territory in question
has vast resources, but their development
is dependent upon policies, the origination
and application of which are new to this
country. 1t is within the lines of con-
servative statement to say that the coun-
Jry lying west of the Tooth meridian is
capable, under proper development, OF
maintaining denser population than the
area east Of that line. 1t follows then
hat it is destined at some future time tc
contain majority of the inhabitants Of
these United States.
The denial to it Of representation in ex.
ecutive councils, and participation directly
IN executive administration, discloses the
existence of a sectionaliSm in the Govern
nnent, indefensible upon any just ground
and unjustifable by any worthy considera
lions.
The spirit of selfshnesS, to which tn
.acts disclosed by Senator Stewards state
rent are referable, is not new to thi
country. From the very first the olde
settled portions of these United State
have looked upon the new territory in tn,
light of conquered or tributary provinces
When the motion was made before tn
Congress of the United States in the frs
Instances for the admission of State int
Federal relation on terms of equality wit
The original thirteen colonies, the motto
was carried by majority only. The OF
posing minority declared that it was nc
the intention to admit additional State
into the Federal Union on terms {
equality with the original States tha
such was not the object for which the colo
MES had c9ntendcd for independence Til
policy proposed by that minority was I
keep the outlying territory and the in
habitants thereof in a colonial relation
Government was to proceed from, an
sovereignty was to reside in, the FEEDER;
tion formed by the original thirteen State
and participation in the government an
the exercise of sovereignty was to be will
held from the populations occupying tn
territory under the jurisdiction of Ii
Government as originally formed.
The idea which dominated the minds {
she Directing minority was borrowed fro
the practices of Great Britain. TIL
British islands to-day are exercising d.
ninion over larger territory than WI
SfSi oeAOIN 'oSiSSd1cu uhueT Il Single CIV
polity; but the colonial possessions
Great Britain, notwithstanding their va
territorial area, and the magnitude of the
populations, are denied representation
the Imperial Parliament
The dominating idea of the Easter
States concerning the territory of the wes
ern half of this country is to make it tri
uta<y to the commercial and industri
prosperity of the East.
During the slavery agitation the conte
for political supremacy created re
interest in the growth of the westei
Territory and the admission of westel
States. The rivalry between the free al
the slave sections created an actual i
terest in the settlement of Territories al
the creation CT States TO preserve Il