St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-06
NOT READY FOR STATEHOOD.

1t is amazing that the bill to admit
Arizona and New Mexico to the Union
as states should receive any considera-
tion whatever in congress. It is still
more amazing that the committee hav-
ing it in charge should think of re-
porting it favorably. The experience
Of this country with the admission Of
communities which have not the requi-
site population or diversity Of inter-
est to warrant their erection into states
should be sufficient for a long time to
come. 1t is good democratic doctrine
that people should not be held in the
territorial condition any longer than
is necessary. Home rule and seif-rule
are principles inseparable from democ-
racy. 1t Is just as true, on the other
hand, that the position and power Of
state in our national government de-
mand the prior fulfllment Of certain
conditions before a territory should
be placed on an equality with the old
er and more fully developed common
wealths that constitute the Union.
The controversy in congress seems
to turn entirely upon the relation Of
these new states to the silver ques-
tion. To our mind this consideration Is
wholly improper, whether it argue for
or against admission. For instance, it
was thoroughly understood that Utah.
If admitted, would add two votes to the
number Of free silver men in the Unit
ed States senate. While we regard this
as undesirable, we should have thought
it criminal to exclude Utah from the
Union on that ground alone. Possess
ing the requisite population and a ter
rltory capable Of great development,
the only objection to statehood for
Utah was the possibility Of a future
union Of church and state, and the
control Of its government by the Nor
mon hierarchy. That objection being
removed, no advocate Of sound money
ozght to say a word against Utah's
admission because Of her position on
the financial issue.
For the same reason, our objection to
the creation of the states of Arizona
and New Mexico is not based upon
the fact that they are for free silver.
1t lies far deeper, and rests on
stronger arguments. Neither of these
communities can read it's title clear to
statehood. 1t is ridiculous and it is
monstrous that they should be admit
ted into the Union at the present time.
The unfitness of the new community to
become state is to be found prin-
cipally in the narrow range of it's in
terests. Take Wyoming as an illustra-
ton. This is destined to be one of the
greatest and richest communities in the
country. 1t has been described fifty as
THE Pennsylvania Of the West" But
for the present It's development is mar
rowly restricted. The people are prac-
t1cally all interested in mining and
ranching. When. therefore, they send
representatives to the senate and house
of the American congress, these men
are unqualified, as rule, to partici-
pate intelligently in the general range
of legislation, because they view ev-
cry subject in the light of its possi-
BILE effect upon the industries which
sum up to them everything that is de-
sirable. To a greater or less extent
the same influences are seen aft wor,,
on the representatives of some of the
other more recently admitted states
These Northern commonwealths how
ever, have large possibilities, and the
restrictedness Of their view will he
remedied quickly by a diversifcation
Of industry and general development.
In the case of the two political dj-
visions Of the Southwest this is not
true. Not only do Arizona and New
Mexico not have the population which
entities them to statehood, but there
is no time in sight within which they
are likely to develop industrially into
equal members of the commonwealth
Of states. They are both within the
boundaries of the Southern stretch of
the great American desert. Patches of
their Immense surface are subject to
cultivation, and large areas will be
made extremely fertile in the future
by irrigation; but for a long time to
come their wealth will consist in their