Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-05-23

PROCLAMATION ny THE GOV
ERNOR


WHEREAS, The people of Idaho are
now living under form of terri' orial
government little better than a colonial
system under foreign rule, whereby they
are dcbarred from participating in any
election for President and Vice. Presiden.
Of the United States, have 10 vote in
either house Of congress and have no
voice in the selection Of the most i'm.
portant officers in the territory, executive
or judicial and
WHEREAS, The people of Idaho are
de,irous Of exercising the rights and
privileges guaranteed to free and loyal
people under the constitution Of the
United States, and to organize state
government preparatory to adm lssion to
the Federal Union, believing that they
have sufficient population and wealth to
justify such an undertaking aud
WHEREAS, Gov. Il. A. Stevenson
did on April End, 1889, issue a procla
nation calling for an election of delegates
to constitutional convention to be held
in Boise Bily, Idaho, on July 4, 1889,
to make a constitution for the state OF
Idaho, to be submitted to the people for
adoption or rejection;
Now therefore, l, Geo. L. Shoup,
governor of Idaho, fully recognizing the
advantages that statehood possesses over
our present system of territorial govern
ment, do issue this, my proclamation,
recommending that delegates be elected
to said constitutional convention on the
first Monday in June, as proclaimed in
said call issued by Gov. Stevenson. II
Tor any reason the citizens of any county
prefer to elect their delegates by some
other equitable method, l am satisfied
that the delegates SO chosen will be
recognized and admitted to seats in the
convention. The manner Of choosing
delegates is Of less importance than tha,
they should be representative men, OF
character aud ability, whose work will b.
satisfactory to Congress and the people
Objection to statehood has been made
by few of our citizens on the ground
that the cost of government will be
] greatly increased. There is this mucl
of truth in tho objection, that state
government sufficient in all its depart
men,s for the needs of growing com
monwealth, affordins means for tn
prompt administration Of justice in tn
courts, providing teacher for evcy chill
Of school age, and an asylum for ever.
helpless, blind, dumd, or idotic dcpeu
dent, will cost more money than gov
ernment that delays justice, turns ou
the feeble to the charities OF the woild
and rears the young in ignorance. Blu
every good thing is worth its cost, an
no people ever bore just burdens wit
greater patience than tho people c
Idaho.
A brief statement Of facts in conne'
tion with this question will be uscfu
for reference. The General Govern
ment now pays for the salaries Of tt
governor and secretary and certain oth'
contingent expenses, including rem
$4,000 per year; for salaries Of judg'
$4,000; and Tor biennial expenses I
the General Assembly, including Il
printing the laws and journals, $4,000
Reducing the latter item to au anna
expense, We find the General Cover
meut paying for the support Of ldal
the sum of $4,000 per year. T.
other territorial expenses, met by o
own tax. payers, average annually the su
of $4,000.
The territory now pays in full, I
salaries of the following officers, to vi
Attorney General, controller. TrcasuI
superintendent Of public iustructit
}. employees Of capitol building, direct'
Z and attaches Of insane asylum, pris
commissioners, librarian, portion OF
d attaches Of the legislative assemb
q !, incidental expenses attendent on the sau
.. aud to each county attorney in
It It territory, $500 par aunum.
l note these facts as it is supposed
many that some of tho above nan
officers are now paid by the Gene
Government.
As moderate as our tax rate now is
il gradually reducing our territorial
- debteduess. This is made apparent
the fact that the balance in the terrific
treasury Oh February 0, 1883, paid
0. outstanding warrants up to October
1887; while tho money in the trcas
February 0, 1889, paid all ousstaud
warrants up to December 81, 1888.
r other words, the collections for the J
ending February 8, 1889, paid