The morning call., 1893-10-10
UTAH AND NEVADA.

Should the silver question and the tariff
question be disposed Of Congress will be
able to take up miscellaneous legislation,
and one of the measures which will be
pressed upon it will be the proposed con-
solidation Of Utah and Nevada. They
once formed single political community.
In 1850 Utah was erected into Territory,
and Nevada formed part of 1t. Eleven
years later Nevada sued for separation
and admission as State, and 1t was ad-
mitted to the Union in March, 1864, its
population being then about $4,000 and its
area no. 900 square miles.
Meanwhile, Utah, with an area Of $1,000
square miles and a population of $1,000
was left in Territorial condition in con-
sequence of the pending controversy over
Mormon polygamy. 1t has remained so
ever since, during which period its popu-
lation has increased to 223, 600. Efforts to
secure admission to the Union proved such
uniform failures that all parties in the
Territory, about three years ago, concluded
to abandon the attempt. But in 1892 e
change came over the temper of the peo-
pie. At the election of that year the ques-
ton of admission was presented to the
three political conventions. The Demo-
Gratis and Republicans passed resolutions
in favor of statehood; the Liberals" or
anti Mormons. opposed it. When the
question was submitted to the people they
expressed their opinion by electing the
Democratic candidate for Delegate to Con-
gress, and by defeating most of the Lib
eral candidates to the Legislature.
In this movement the people Of Utah
have been assisted by the surrender of the
Mormon church to the demands of Con-
gress. In 1890 the president of the Nor
mon church issued proclamation advis-
ing its followers to obey the laws of the
land regarding polygamy, and the church
conference accepted the proclamation as
binding. The elders then declared that so
far as they knew there had not been sim
gle case of plural marriage since the reve-
latiOn.
These are the facts which will presently
be laid before Congress. Any measure
based on them will involve consideration
of the case of Nevada. The constitution
does not clothe Congress with power to
alter the area of a State except with the
consent of its people. In the case of West
Virginia. Congress assumed the power. in
Charles Sumner and others; but that was
a war measure, and was justified by the
imperative exigencies of war. No such
necessity now existing, it would seem that
an act consolidating Utah and Nevada
would require the assent of a majority of
the 10. 500 people who constitute the voting
population of Nevada AS the promoters
of consolidation are concentrating their
efforts on overcoming the antipathy of
Congress to the Mormons, and are not
concerning themselves about the wishes of
Nevada, il must be assumed that they feel
assured the small State will not stand in
the way.
A new State comprising the present
State of Nevada and the present Territory
of Utah would contain about 275, COO
people and a territory of about 100000
square miles. Much of this large State is
arid and broken and unfit for habitation,
but besides mineral resources 1T contains
valleys which irrigation has rendered
very fertile indeed. The agricultural
products of Utah are large, and the val
leys are only n the first stage of develop
ment. Both Nevada and Utah have vast
possibilities for pasture, and these, now
raiser out of field after field. are we'll
worth consideration.
The gravest question in connection with
this matter is regarding the possibility of
a revival of polygamy under State
auspices. The Mormon population OF
Utah would greatly exceed the Gentle
population of both Utah and Nevada when
combined in one State. There is no reason
to believe that the Mormons have expert
enced any change of heart. They have
simply yielded to legal pressure. When
that pressure is taken off and they are at
liberty to place themselves under State
rights it will be too late to inquire as to
their intentions regarding polygamy.
President Woodruff's anti polygamy proc
lamation was not new revelation, but an
executive declaration. Even if it were
revelation he might get another under
statehood.