Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-14
ANOTHER STAR RISING,
An Idaho Man Here Working in the
Interest of Statehood.

Mr.. Rounsevelle wildman of the Idaho
Statesman arrived in the city this week in the
interest of statehood for Idaho. Mr. wiidman
when seen by STAR reporter had some inter
esting things to say in regard to that territory
Idaho" said he, lis thoroughly in earnest
in regard TO the question of statehood. On the
4th OF July last our constitutional convention
met at Boise City and formulated constitu-
ton. which was submitted to the people on the
9Th OF November and was approved by vote
Of 10000 against an adverse vote of 1000. 1t
contains some radical features, viz: Three
fourths of a jury convict in criminal cases. The
Judiciary is elected by the legislature and the
Edmunds-Tucker test oath is incorporated
This last clause. if sustained by the Supreme
Court, crushes the power of the Mormon church
IN the territories forevermore. The test oath
dlsenfranchlses all persons who practice, teach
or abet polygamy. The Idaho legislature has
gone further and placed the burden of proof on
the Mormon who subscri6es to the test oath
and places him on probation for two years. IL
III that time he can prove his innocence he is
allowed to vote, which very few can do"
POPULATION AND WEALTH.
Idaho has population of III, 000," said Mr..
Wlldman. Boise City. the capital. has about
5000. Last year her output of silver and gold bull
lion amounted to SIT .O0O, 600 Her agricultural
lands are greater than the comprised lands of
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Up to the time OF the admission of the last
four states there we're but three states that ever
came into the Union that had more population
or resources.
.'Ihe chief advantage of statehood" said Mr.
Wildman, lis that it would remove the alien
investment law, which keeps English syndicates
or foreign corporations from obtaining title to
property in the territory, which law shuts out
the investment of all large capital in mining.
Then, OF course, the opening of a new state
brings i'll food OF immigration.
In Idaho it seldom rains. All agricultural
industries depend on irrigation. In southern
Idaho the country is irrigated from the Boise
and Snake rivers. Boise valley is 60 miles
long and to miles wide. 1t is under mag
nlncent cultivation, which is entirely the pro-
duct OF irrigation. The valley for richness,
fertility and beauty is unrivaled, reminding
one OF the valley of the Connecticut and the
famous Ridge road along the shores of Lake
| Ontario in New York. II is traversed with a
| road of hard-packed shale, which is lined on
either side with rows of Lombardy popiars. On
both sides are beautiful ranches. Three crops
| a year are raised, and home market Is found
for their produce. Hay runs five tons to the
| acre, and land i'll the immediate neighborhood
| of Boise City rents to Chinese Lahore rs for S2s
per acre per year. The soil is inexhaustible, III
| places it is over 20 feet deep, and improves
| each year that water Is put on 1t.
AN IRRIGATION SCHEME.
''In August the Senate irrigation committee
composed of Senators Stewart, Jones, Plumb
and Reagan, visited the territory to collect
statistics in regard to the feasibility of the
| government expanding money to irrigate the
great Snake river basin. If this is done &
canal about 800 miles in length will be con
structed at a cost of $4,000, 900. opening ur
| 100000 acres of wonderfully rich land, capa
BILE OF supporting population of 100000
| people.
The climate of Idaho is simply delightful the
year around In Boise City, for example, which
| is about 5000 feet above the level OF the sea
the thermometer runs up to 100 in the summer
| but the thinness of the atmosphere prevents
| any bad effects. The nights are cool and we
| require about the same amount of clothin,
summer and winter. The winters are mucl
| like the winters of Washington city. with tn,
exception that we have no or little rain. Thi
state of affairs ID due to the warm winds from
| the Pacific coast.
'Our delegate in Congress, Fred T. Dubois
! is confident Of our early admission, and it is ex
pected that he will be put on the committee TO
the admission of territories"