Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-07-05
The New West.

Inc ADMISSION Oh wyoming 10 STATE
hood means two more western members
in the United States senate and one
more western member in the house and
three more western votes in the elector.
al colleage. 1t means two more repub-
lican members in the senate andl one
more republican member in the house
and three more republican votes in the
electoral college.
Really the republican west is getting
into good shape for asserting itself as an
independent factor in the government.
The west is thus only coming into pos
session of its legitimate representation.
Five new western states admitted 10
the union within year-North Dakota,
South Dakota, Montana, Washington
and Wyoming-that is the record. And
probably another state, Idaho, will
be admitted before this session of con-
gress adjourns, making in all six new
western states within twelvemonth.
1t has all come SO suddenly that the
far-reaching political consequences are
not yet fully realized, but when they are
considered the admission of these new
western states will be found to be the
most momentous fact in the history of
American politics during the last de-
cade.
The people of these new western
states admitted during the past twelve
months have formed great communities
for many years, communities of large
population, of large wealth and of vast
interests peculiarly their own. But
they have been totally unrepresented in
the government, totally without infu-
ence in their own behalf in any ef-
ficient sense. Puny states like Rhode
Island and Delaware on the extreme
eastern seaboard could influence the
policies of the government, but this vast
empire, comprising now six great states,
was absolutely voiceless in congress and
in the electoral college.
But now, almost at stroke, six new
states Of tie republican west step into
the union. From 1860 to 1889 only
five new states were admitted. But six
states, counting Idaho, all of the west,
have been admitted almost in body
since the beginning Of 1889. The
twelve new western senators thus added
to the senate are almost 20 per cent, Of
the total membership Of the sena. be-
fore the admission Of these states.
Now, look at the changed relations of
the westin the balance ofpolitical power.
In essential interest Missouri now be-
longs to the west as truly as Illinois, and
going no further south or east than
those states We have this magnificent
array: Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota. Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Neb-
raska, south Dakota, North Dako
Colorado, California, Nevada, Oregon,
Montana, Washington, Wyoming and
Idaho--in all eighteen states hold now
in their own hand almost one half OF
the total membership of the United
States senate-one half thereof, assum.
ing the immediate admission Of Idaho
- sure-being twenty-five.
Now, nothing need be added to de-
!. monstrate that hereafter there can be
no new legislation enacted and no old
legislation LEFT standing long which is
dangerous to the interests Of the great
west II the strength Of the west be WISE
ly welded. Surely this is a mighty
change mighty change from the un-
due influence Of New England and New
York in this government.
Why should not the west stand up
now in behalf Of its interests as the east
has 90 long done?. Why should not the
west insist on having its power duly felt
In shaping the policies Of this govern
mentf
There is nothing unduly sectional in
this proposition, unless the east for a
halfa century has been unduly section
al. The east got the best Of the bar
gains under the government because it
had the strength. That was all right.
That WAS human nature. But the west
now has the power, and II would be un.
true to itself If It should not use il In re-
asonable independence.
! And this is exactly what Is going to
! happen.--Sioux City Journal.