The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-02
A FAIR DISCUSSION.

Malad Enterprise.
1t being now pretty generally
conceded that the address to the
people of Idaho promulgated by
the Constitutional Committee was
an unfortunate mistake which has
awakened more opposition to State
hood than any other one thing, it
might be proper for the people and
the press to commence the discus
sion of this important question
upon its real merits and without
bias or prejudice. 1t will not be
questioned but that when all the !
conditions are favorable territory
ought of right aspire to self-gov-
eminent within the limitations Of
the Constitution. Neither, it is APP
pretended, will it be questioned
but that the exercise of political
rights and privileges is dear be-
yond almost any price to the true
American citizen. Therefore no
citizen ought to be content under
form of government which abridges
or denies to him any of these rights,
privileges and immunities that any
other citizen enjoys. Political
rights can no more be measured by
money values than can love or
friendship. They are matters of
sentiment, just pride and morality.
Every man wants to be the equal
of every other man, especially in
political matters. So long as Idaho
remains a territory it's people can
be at best but semi-citizens, if, il
fact, they can in any respect be
considered citizens of the United
States in the broader and fuller
sense of citizenship. We live under
the protection of the general gov
eminent, it is true, so do the In
dams, so did the slaves before the
civil war; but Of what effect or &C
count are we to that government
we call ours? In it's councils we
havs no voice; In its laws no word.
Like the boy, however, under the
guardianship Of a more or less in
dulgent parent, we are allowed to
do some few things upon our own
motion and responsibility, the prin
cipal thing of which is paying our
own expenses. We are permitted
to elect our local officers and make
few local laws, providing always
they are no ways distasteful to
congress elected by other and re-
mote people who, in fact, though
presumably otherwise, have little
or no interest in our affairs. Con-
gress enacts certain general laws
efecting alike all territories, and
no matter how inconsistent or un-
just they may be to particular ter
ritories there is no method within
the power of the abused territories
to repeal or amend them. An in
stance in point is the "Alien Land
Law" which, though it might be
well suited and of great benefit to
some territories, has done to Idaho
an Unreasonable damage. The
states, by the Constitution of the
United States, have delegated to
the general government certain
powers, all others being retained
and exercised by them. With ter
ritories it is radically different; the
general government holding all
power and giving to them only
such privileges as it may deem
proper and expedient, and which at
all times are subject to revocation.
But the general government pays
part Of our expenses. This is
true; and if it be a good argument
in favor of remaining under terri
torial impotence to some extent,
why not to any extent? If it be
best that the President of the
United States, by and with the con-
sent of the Senate, should appoint
our governor because the general
government pays his salary, SO of
sheriffs and constables; if it be
better that district judges be APP
pointed by the President, SO of
probate judges and justices Of the
peace; if it is better that the sec
rotary of the territory be an APP
pointee of the government, so of
county auditor. If the benefits
and advantages of self-government
are to be measured by dollars and
cents, then we should carry out the
theory otis elimination by petition
ing the government to take US,
with the Indians, under is parental
care, in lieu of which we would
yield up all our rights of citizen
SHY and pay so much per annum
for protection. We imagine that
few Idaha citizens would desire to
resort to such a measure; but
nevertheless it is the legitimate
conclusion at which certain classes
of economical arguments arrive.
We would not infer that the matter
of cost should not enter into dis
cussion of this important question.
1t should, but it should not be per-
mitted to predominant all other
considerations. The idea is that
we should embrace Statehood just
as soon as we can possibly afford
it, and not run behind too far. For
few years we may be unable to
meet all obligations; nine out of
every ten of the states already adj
mitted have been in the same pre-
dicament; they have come out all
right. Why should the people of
Idaho hesitate?