The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-13
THE AMBITIOUS TERRITORIES.

Bills for the admission into the union of
Idaho and Wyoming have already been in
troduced in Congress, and the petitions of
New Mexico and Arizona may expect to
follow shortly The first two ask to go in
under the constitutions which have been
formulated and ratified by the people of the
respective territories. New Mexico also
held what some were pleased to call con-
stitutional convention, though it was
neither more nor less than an assemblage
of Republican politicians who went through
the form of framing so-called state consti
tuition, which is to be submitted to Con
gress with the bill for admission. Arizona
has done nothing, so far, looking to admis-
sion, though it is understood that the
necessary steps will be taken this winter,
so far as asking authority to hold a con-
vention is concerned.
THE HERALD can see very little to en-
courage these ambitious commonwealth
in their efforts. In fact, what we do see
may be regarded as discouraging. There
is but one of the four that is qualified in
the matter of population for statehood,
and in other respects it is doubtful that the
territory is well prepared for taking on
the new duties and responsibilities. OF
course we refer to New Mexico. 1t has a
sufficient number of people, and is wealthy
in both developed and undevelopod re
sources. The territory is rich, and in time
will certainly occupy foremost position
among the vigorous western common
wealths. But just now it will be hard to
convince Congress that it would be wise or
proper to intrust the people with the power
of local self government There are hun
dreds and thousands of the men and women
who know no more about the English Ian
guage than they do about Sanscrit and
there are comparatively few of the
Mexicans, though they and their parents
were born in the territory, who are what
might be called familiar with theinstitutions
and theories of the republic. We do not
allege this is saying they are not good
people, for as matter of fact they average
well as to the virtues and vices with other
communities. However, Congressman
have gotten it into their heads that it
would be unwise if not dangerous for the
federal government tn surrender control
of the territory before 1t can do so to
Americans. It is also true that the con-
servative element in New Mexico is not
eager for statehood. The politicians are
keen for state government, for they see
in it a chance to plumber and despoil
greater than they have enjoyed as a ter
ritory, and if ever a territory has been
plucked and oppressed by politicians, it is
New Mexico which has been the victim of
ring rule and misrule almost continuously.
l,o
people will not press for admission, pre-
ferring the protection, with its annoyances
and Inconvenience, of the federal govern
ment to state controlled by the element
which would be likely to have control for
a time. The territory is also Democratic,
which makes its admission by this Con-
gress extremely improbable. 1t is party
politics more than anything else which
decides in the matter of admitting new
states and the politics of the present Con
gress decides against making any Demo
cratic state S.
OF course it is idle and ridiculous to talk
seriously about the admission of Idaho If
the territory were otherwise qualified for
statehood, the constitution framed last
summer and approved by the people last
month, would render impossible the admis-
sion at this time. Congress is not Gre
ating states with constitutions which con-
fiict radically with that of the repub-
lie, as does Idaho's, which disfran
chises and deprives of all civil and po
litical rights, fully one third of the popula-
ton. and this, too, without even accusing
this third of crime or wrong doing But
leaving the matter of the unrepublican con-
stitution out of the case, our neighbor is |
not qualified for statehood in the respects |
of population, wealth or ability to main |
tain a republican government. 1t is OBJ |
served that the governor, in his annual re-
port to the secretary of the interior, estl-
mates the population at 1877. BY what |
means he arrives at these figures we can
not say. 1t is doubted that there are 10000
people in the territory, exclusive of In
dams not taxed" If the census next June |
shall show more than that number, we will
be surprised. But whatever the popula- |
lation, THE HERALD does not consider that |
Idaho has the shadow of a chance to get |
into the union this year or next |
Courageous, progressive and energetic |
Wyoming steps to the front and boldly |
asks for statehood and freedom from
colonial rule, and TIE HERALD heartily
wishes that its nelghbor could back
its appeal with something more sub
stantial and impressive than il is able to
present. We Ike Wyoming and her people,