The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-17
The FIFTY states of the Union.

Que of the pledges which tho Democratic
party made Mt the late Chicago Convention.
It's control Of tho Presidency and OF both
branches OF Congress will enable it pres
emily to keep and that is the admission Of
the two Southwest Territories. New Mexico
and Arizona. to American Statehood. In
1883. at st. Louis. tho Democratic National
Convention specifically called for the ad-
mission Of Washington, Dakota. Montana.
and New Mexico The Republicans. in their
National Convention in tho same year,
made more vague hut no less strenu-
GUS demand for the admission OF addl-
tional Territories rs States, and pledged the
Republican party ito do all In its power to
admit New Mexico. Wyoming. Idaho. and
Arizona to tho enjoyment OF sclf-govern-
ment rs States
Tho power to keep this pledge was not
lacking but tho willingness to employ it
never appeared. The Republicans had am
pie power to- admit in 1870 such Territories
as they desired. but they drew tho line
against such as already were. or seemed
likely ever to be. in the Democratic column.
and so admitted only the Republican Terri
tories. making two States of Dakota and
excluding Now Mexico and Arizona. Tho
unlulTIlcSS bl lIllS iIIuiltstliitHJ - caely
understood when their respective popula-
tions arc compared: the motive OF 1t Is
easily explained when the political control
OF each is considered:
WASHING ,on-Population. 1890. 800. Went Re-
publica an In 1883 by 1900. Admitted.
South Dakota Population, 1880, 32SSoS. Went Re-
Dublican in 1858 by 1900 Admitted
North Dakota-ropua;ion 1880 lSo.719. Went Re-
publican in lSsS by 800. Admitted.
Montana Population. 1890. l32. l5S Went Rsrubli-
can in SSS by 1000. Admitted.
llaho-Popuation. 1890. 1888 Went Republican
In 1883 by LEO. Admitted
wyoming Population. 1880. GO. 7oo. Wen: Republi
can IN 1883 by :?Co. Admitted
These six now States acquired collectively
twenty electoral votes. But New Mexico.
population 1888. which went Democratic
IN 1888 by 1000 votes. was excluded. So was
Arizona population 5000. which went DEM
ocrntc in 1883 by $500.
Idaho ard Wyoming. both Republican.
with n combined population of 1850. were
made into States with four United States
Senators. two Representatives, and six
electoral votes and the political boon Of n
homo ru!" administration. New Mexico.
with u bigger total population than tho two
combined. was excluded from the Union Of
States and Continued as Il Territory. 1t was
Democratic and is still.
The fault WAS noo that OF the present
Democratic Congress. which enacted a
measure To ab;te this gross inequality. but
it was not permitted by Republicans to be-
come IL law. Tho Democratic National
Convention in June last adopted as one
plank Of its platform the following:
I'VE approve of the action Of tho present House of
Representatives in passing bills for the admission into
the Union states Territories OF New Mexico and
aud the early admission OF all Terri.
tories having thr population and resources
to admit them to Statehood"
The duty which dcvolves on the next
Democratic Congress is therefore plain. 1t
should admit without discrimination the
Territories which have the necessary popu-
latiOn and resources, irrespective OF politi-
cal conditions or party advantage.
Tho day is fast approaching when the
District of Columbia will be the last of the
Territories, and when the United States
will be union Of fifty sovereign common
wcalths, covering every inch OF American
soil between the waters Of the Atlantic and
OF tho Pacific. That day cannot long be
postponed and it certainly should not be
delayed by the sloth of a Democratic
Congress in dealing with IL question which
concerns more nearly the national domain
than it does any small matter OF petty par
tisan majority. Open the doors for the
Territories entitled to Statehood! Fairness
to all and no discrimination.