The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-01-29
Idaho's Prosperity Promoted in Every
Way by Statehood.

Idallo's Prosperity Promoted in Every
Way by Statehood.
To the Editor of THE HERALD:
Your favor is at had, asking in what
way the prosperity of Idaho has been
promoted by her admission into the
union, ana whether l favor the admis-
sion of Utah.
The prosperity of Idaho has been pro-
NOTED in every way by her admission. /
believe it is safe to say that our business,
assessable property and population has
been increased 40 per cent. since state
hood was given us, but little more than
two years ago. Capital now seeks invest
ment there, whereas, while we were a
territory it passed us by. Mining
properties are better because the
sale OF them is not restricted to
citizens OF the United States as
the case in the territories. The
territorial condition is an anomalous one:
there is no stability to it; those who ad-
minister the affairs are liable TO be ap-
pointed from sections of the coun-
try whose conditions are enterely
different from those OF the
territory in which they are to serve.
Congress has the right at any time to an
null an act of a territorial legislature. Ny
observation leads me to believe that the
residents of territory do not take the
same interest or pride in it that they do
IN state. There is wide difference in
the estimate which business men and
people generally make between a state
and territory. Many avenues of prefer
ment, especially in the political field, are
open In a state which do not exist in
territory, and in consequence there is a
stronger inducement for officials of all
kinds to strive to advance the interests
and prosperity Of the state. Additional ex-
pense of statehood is very small in actual
amount and is many times compensated
Tor by the Increase in the amount of tax
able property which follows statehood.
i imagine there is not an Individual
in Idaho who would willingly return to
the territorial condition. although there
were many who feared the effects OF
statehood and opposed it.
In regard to your second question,
whether favor the admission of Utah, [
answer that / do. You are entirely
familiar with the plain and unequivccal
position which maintained against the
Mormon church for many years OBJ
posed it because its leaders controlled the
followers and dictated to them in political
matters, and because it openly taught
and proclaimed polygamy. am satisfied
and does not control its members in
political affairs. | do not believe
it will attempt to re-establish pol
ygamy or to unite its people in politics. I
have serious doubts whether it could
bring back the old conditions even if it
attempted to. So clear am [ on these
propositions that l am an earnest advo-
cate of the repeal of the law in Idaho
which DISTINGUISHES the Mormons. AS
am willing to trust the Idaho Mormons.
there is no good reason why / should dis
trust the Utah Mormons. Utah is well
equipped in every way for statehood. pro-
vided the Mormons are sincere and honest
in their professions.
The only question TO be decided in
reference to Utah is whether or not the
Mormons have changed. This question
each one who occupies responsible posi-
ton must decide for himself as his con-
science appeals to him. I have no criti-
cism TO make of those who still distrust
the church. l myself cannot longer recon-
Gle it to myself to deprive them of any
privilege which is granted to other citi-
zens. The future must decide as to the
correctness OF my Judgment. Politics
should have no place in the discussion of
a territory's admission to the Union. If
the people OF territory are willing to as
sumo the responsibilities of admission to
the Union; If the resources OF the terri
tory are such as to guarantee growth and
prosperity as a state; if the character of
the people is such as to induce the belief
that American institutions and American
honor will De securely upheld by them.
no additional reason or arguments should
be sought. Very truly yours,
FRED L. DUBOIS.