The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-25
I'tnh,s Opportunity.

The arguments set forth by Delegate
RAwLrNs for the admission Of the Territory
OF Utah into the Union OF States have no
little force.
Six times Utah has knocked at the door,
but while on all former occasions the Nor
mons we're for getting in and tho non-sTor-
mons for staying out. they now make
common cause. The Church Of Latter Day
Saints still exists and flourishcs, but polyg-
amy Is dead. and with IL has gone the strife
between Mormon and GENTLE. Governor
WEST. who opposed the admission Of Utah
In 1888. tells the reason why he advocates
admission now:
The practice OF poiysamy has been abandoned by
the Church and the people poygsmous marriages are
forbidden by the authorities OF the Church The Peo
pies Church party, mas been dissolved. and the con
dons existing in the Territory are now In nowiss DIFF
tsrent from those In vogue in the states OF the Union
Utah. according 20 Mr.. RAwLTNs, has o
population OF 100000 people. all whites ex-
cept 1000. three out Of four born in this
country, while OF those old enough to do so
all but 5 or per cent. can read and
write the English language. The standard
OF intelligence and education is far above
the average OF the American people" With
large deduction for extravaganza In these
statements. Utah would still possess ex-
ceptional claims for admission to the Union.
Since the census OF 1890 gave her 2O7, 9O5
people. and she had gained As per cent. in
ten years. she may well have 100000 now:
and the ratio OF representation in Congress
is only 173.9Ol. Utah had more people in
1890 than the States OF Idaho. Wyoming,
and Nevada combined.
Territory has not received an acre or
dollar for education from the Federal Gov
eminent. and the schoolhouses have been
built and run by taxes voluntarily i'm
posed, For half that period university
hos been maintained by the Territorial
Treasury. The bill upon which Mr.. RAW
Inns addressed the House provided for
making up any past discrimination against
Utah by large grant OF public lands. ap-
plicable to school purposes. as in the case
OF other Territories and States; but the
credit OF establishing good school system
without such aid is already hers. The
ownership OF small tracts Of land Is an
other feature of Utah, tho average size OF
farms there being twenty-seven acres. &C.
cording to the last census returns.
Yet Utah has n possible opportunity at
this time. the right use OF which is far more
important than independent admission to
the Union. Let her seek entrance by means
OF annexation to Nevada. Thus she will do
our whole political system an inestimable
service, by reforming a rotten-borough
State. With population four and n half
times as great as Sevada's. she can rely on
having her share OF influence In the result
ing community.
As for Nevada. why should she not well
come the chance TO remove reproach
which she has endured for thirty years
Her entire population in 1890 WAS less than
that OF the town OF Saginaw. or Oakland. or
Bridgeport. or Evansville. or st. Joseph. or
Lynn. or Camden; vet she has not only a
Representative in Congress. but as many
Senators as Pennsylvania or Ohio. She
should be glad TO reannex her neighbor. OF
whose domains she originally formed a
part. and start on new career as gen
uine and worthy State.
Should Utah express the willingness and
desire TO render this service. 1t would al
ways be rememb cred TO her credit Should
the plan actually succeed. through the CO.
operation OF Nevada. Utah would signalize
her entrance into the Union by a piece OF
self-sacrifice for the public good that would
Offset. politically. much Of the trouble she
has given and the evil she has caused dur
ing the reign OF polygamy. and make her
an honored state at once and always.