Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-06-09
sTAreh:AluNG ~ TIE NORTHWEST
Proposed Changes In the boundaries OF
Several Great States.

Several Great States.
,Slr enterprising contemporary, the Spo-
lane Review, calls attention to what it re-
CARDS as the most feasible method of redi-
vidng the areas now included in the states
of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
This method does not propose to create
| four states out of the three, but to continue
the existing states under n change of boun-
diaries. The constitution declares that mo
new state shall be created or formed with
| in the Jurisdiction of any other state, MOI
any state formed by the junction of two or
more states or parts of states without the
consent of the legislatures of the states con-
cerned we'll as of the congress"
Practically, the consent of the. legisla-
lures of the three states would be required
for carrying out the plan proposed, and the
possibility of securing such consent is
based on the effort to show that the inter
ests OF the people OF all three states would
be served by the change, and the expenses
of government reduced.
Briefly stated, the plan proposes that the
portions of Washington and Oregon west
of the Cascade mountains should be com
bined into n state to be called Oregon; that
the portion of Washington east of these
mountains together with north Idaho
should form another state to be called
Washington; finally that south Idaho and
eastern Oregon should be joined under the
name of Idaho.
The argument for this change is that it
would substitute natural for arbitrary
boundaries and br:ag together areas which
have analogous or identical interests:
'All that territory lying between the
Cascade mountains on the east, the Pacific
ocean on the west, the Canadian boundary
on the north and the Siskiyou mountains
on the south is identical in character and
kindred in resource. 1t comprises one of
the great natural drainage basins of the
west, and, moreover, it is served by n con-
mon transportation system. 1t was once
embraced in the state of Oregon. 1t should
be one state today, instead of parts of two
states
THE eastern part of Washington and TIE
panhandle of Idaho comprise another nat
ural subdivision of the Pacific coast. It.
too, i identical il resource, climate, com
mcrcial ties and transportation facilities
II should constitute another sovereign
state.
Eastern Oregon and south Idaho are al
so alike III topography, climate, resources
and history. Already they are linked to-
gethcr by one great railroad system, and
before many years another line, the Oregon
Pacific, Will traverse their broad acres.
Here is still another of natures basins, and
this should constitute IL state"
Pursuing the rccapitulatIon of possible
gains, the Spokane Review, which is pGb-
lishcd within the limits of the proposed
new state of Washington, points out that
uniform jurisdiction would then be e-tah-
lishcd over both shores of the Columbia
river. This would be for the advantage of
the shipping on that great highway; and
while state construction of portage roads
would presumably be encouraged there
might be more harmonious action in con
gress for the Improvement of the river.
There would also no longer be different
laws relating to the salmon fishery on one
side of the stream and on the other.
Tacoma and Seattle would have COM
bined population exceeding that of Port
land. the chief city of Oregon, so that they
would he able to take care of themselves
The eastern half of Washington might hope
to be relieved from the grievance of having
it's interests subordinated to those of the
western part, as it thinks they now some
times are. Finally. the people of north Ida
no and eastern Washington would have
easier access to their seat of government
These views have an interest as showing
how the far northwest is occupying itself
with problems of statemaking and state
mending. But more Immediately impor-
tant Is the need of rchabilitating Nevada
by adding to it the greater portion of I tab,
so that it may have a population and re-
sources suitable to a state of the Union and
fitting it for competition with its vigorous
and advancing neighbors.-New York sun.