New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-20
rurTP IITEST BLUNDER.

The innate capacity OF me Deniooi"Oio P"i'J
for laundering was never better illustrated
than in the Omnibus Territorial bill just passed
by the House. 1t would be difficult to con-
ceive of a measure more obviously dishonest,
or one which more f1agrantly disregarded all
the essential facts of the situation. South Da-
kota and Montana are coupled together as the
two States worthy of prompt admission, while
North Dakota and Washington are left with
New-MexicO in their present position The
latter may hold conventions and frame con-
situations, which they could do of their own
accord, but they cannot enter the Union until
Congress passes special acts admitting them.
This arrangement, judged by the facts seems
utterly senseless, but an inquiry into Its po-
Etical bearing shows that there is method in
this madness, though only from the Democratic
point of view.
The concession to South Dakota was un-
avoidabls. Not even party that submits to
the leadership of Mr. Springer could refuse out
right to admit Commonwealth like South Da-
kota with a population, excluding Indians, OF
at least $50, 900. But even this act Of justice
is INSTRUCTED and delayed by requiring that the
people of the entire Territory of Dakota shall
first vote in favor of division, which they have
repeatedly done, and that the people Of South
Dakota shall alse ratify the Constitution they
adopted in 1885. Montana, which is placed
upon a par with South Dakota. has popula-
ton only two-ifths as great The official esd
mate contained in the last report of the Gov
ernor is 10000. In other words, Montana,
which is to enter the Union by proclama-
ton, after the people have ratified the Con-
stitution adopted five years ago when the pop
ulation was far below the unit of representa-
ton, has the smallest population of all the
States which it is seriously proposed by any
one to admit North Dakota, which this in
solent bill thrusts back into Territorial con-
dition. has population Of at least 1000, ex-
GLIDING Indians. The population of Washing
ton is officially estimated at 1876, 393-a figure
which is believed to be already exceeded by the
rapid growth Of this Territosy-and New-Mex-
leo has population of $4,000.
We have already urged the admission Of
Montana because we believe it fully qualified
for Statehood. It's population is slightly below
the unit of representation, but it is steadily
growing, and the development of the Territory
is advancing along such lines that there seems
to be no possibility Of future retrogression and
decay, as in the case of Nevada. But, to adj
NIT Montana, while North Dakota, the great
wheat State and Washington, the noble new
Commonwealth Of the Pacific Slope are shut
out, would be a traveSty upon the American
system. The explanation of the course Of the
Democrats is easy. They have received as
s,rranOes which are satisfactory to them that
Montana shall be a Democratic State. There
So Ia e4andu
on the floor of the House to plead for the adj
mission of Washington, the measure of whose
qualifications is pressed full and running over,
the House refuses to assent because at the last
election the people Of the Territory expressed
their disgust with the Democratic party by
giving a Republican majority of 1881, and
electing only Democrats to the Legislature
out OF 33 members. The Republican majority
in North Dakota-almost the same to figure,
7,786-makes ii clear why this State also is to
be kept out as long as possible. North Dakota
cast total vote in November larger than that
Of Rhode Island, and larger than that Of Della
ware and Nevada combined, but because it will
doubtless be Republican State, the day when
its star shall CLEAN on our flag must be put off
as long as brutal partisanship can postpone it.
1t is difficult to say what the Democrats ex-
pect to get by this fooling with grave ques-
ton. Every year that they have kept out of
the Union those Northwestern Territories
which were fully qualified their party name
has become more and more odious to the people
who were feeling the effects of this injustice.
They cannot long postpone the admission Of
North Dakota and Washington, because within
few weeks Republican Congress and Re
publican President will assume complete con-
troll of the Government for the first time in
many years. Justice will then be done to the
people of those two States, but without the aid
of the Democracy and in spite of its opposi-
ton. 1t is fortunate thing, however, for the
country that at stated periods the Democratic
party reveals itself as one without either sense
or conscience, as INSCRIPTIONS as it is ignorant
and incompetent.