Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-07
The -Four New States.

The -Four New states.
We copied from the Washington Pos, a
few days ago the following:
THE general opinion was that en extra
session ~ Congress should lie called about
November lst and not IN october, as has
been previously supposed would be the
time Il one was called. Tho reason for
reinforcement was that as the latter date
the Republicans would have the advan-
tAge OF the members from the West, n not
all OF tho new States who would give them
a f.r majority instead OF the extremely
small one which they now have, and which
might through death or accident he cni Re-
ly wiped out between the time Of calling
the extra session and assembling OF the
members.
at was with reference to this greater or
smaller majority IN the House that the
elections in the new States became most
important in the opinion OF these gentle
men. and the question of what could be
done about them occupied their attention
yesterday"
1t is clearly implied in the paragraphs
quoted above that the members Of the
House Of Representatives from the four new
States will have the right to participate IN
the organization Of that body. We do not
concede this TO he true; but the Postseems
10 consider it so. AT any rate, we asked
the Posi 10 explain how the members-elect
from the four new States could take part
in organizing the House when the new
States themselves had not been riGhttully
nor constitutionslly admitted into the
Union The Post does not make the cx-
PLANTATION asked for, but for it substitutes
the following interesting statement:
"Our Richmond contemporary should
call TO mind that no more territorial dele
gates are 10 be elected by the people of
Montana, Washington. or the two Dakotas.
They are now engaged, through their re-
spectIYe conventions, IN the Adoption OF
State constitutions. By the provisions OF
the enabling act II the last Congress these
constitutions are 10 be submitted to pop
ular vote on the first Tuesday OF October
next, and as soon as the returns are official
" ascertained the President OF the United
State. VIII issue proclamation announcing
the result. The7eupon the Governors OF
the Territories then formally admitted 70
Statehood are authorized 10 order an cleo
ton for the choice of representatives, IN
COngress-South Dakota being entitled to
two representatives. and North Dakota,
Montana. and Washington one each, and
also for the election OF members OF the
State Legislatures. upon whom VIII de-
volve the choice Of United States senators.
"AIl this upon the assumption that none
Of the Territories reject the constitutions
submitted to them, which Is contingency
not 10 be entertained.
Evidently, therefore. if an extra session
of Congress be called for the LIST Of Octo-
Der the representatives of the new States
cannot be present 10 assist IN the OrganiZa-
tion of the House. They could scarcely
be chosen III time TO participate III the
opening Of q session callel for November
1st; but whenever they are elected our
Richmond contemporary must readily see
that they will come to Washington not as
territorial delegates, for the Territories
have then ceased to exist, but as full
hedged representatives, with whose con
version into genuine members nothing
remains 70 be done but TO swear them H."
The reader will see that the Post tells
why the new members cannot be in Wash
ington even on the lst of November. OF
course, then, they cannot take part in the
organization of the House if an extra ses-
sion be called.
But the whole proceeding is wrong.
Fhey will have no right to participate
in the organization Of the House
Of Representatives even in December.
The vote on ratifying the State con-
situations will be taken October lst
The official returns Will hardly reach the
President Of the United States before the
Ist Of November. After he issues procla-
nation declaring the result Of the ratiiy-
ing election, tho Governors of the several
new bogus States Will have to order cleo
lions for State Legislatures and these lie
gislatures must meet and choose United
States tenators. Can the members of the
House Of Representatives be seated before
the new States have any senators? These
senators can hardly be III Washington 10y
the first Monday in December.
All these proceedings are wrong. OF
course Congress can after their admission
heal all defects in the manner If erect
ing" the new States But il cannot DO this
beforehand. Nor can it delegate its power
to the President. The language Of the Con- /
stitution is;
"Now States may be admitted by me
Congress into this Union but no rev state
shall be formed or erected within the Jurls |
diction OF any other State; nor any State |
be formed by the junction of two or more !
States, or parts of States without the con- !
sent of the Legislatures of the States con- !
cerned as well as of he Congress"
The President has nothing 10 do with II |
in either case. We know of course that |
this section was violated in the admission
Of West Virginia. and that Colorado was
declared in the Union by proclamation of !
General GRANT. The admission of West |
,,f of,1
cannot be justified; but it is wrong that |
will never be righted. The recognition by |
Congress OF any new State a. a State heals !
all defects But this has not been done in |
the case of the four Territories of Wash |
ington, Montana, North Dakota, and South |
Dakota, and cannot be done until after the !
organization Of the new House Of Repre- !
sentatives.
With all due Difference TO the Post we |
add that the persons elected TO the House |
Of Representatives in the four Territories |
will be territorial delegates up to the time |
OF their admission into the House.
1t is not probable, but il Is possible, that !
any one Of the Territories might reject It's |
cons ttution. What then would |
become Of its congressman tits full |
fedged representatives" What would be- /
come of the Statehood of any such Terri !
tory? What Of the Presidents power? /
The whole structure would vanish into the /
air. But these facts prove the unconstitu-
tionality of the entire proceedings.
The Chicago Times, in discussing the |
question Of Murder Trials North and |