The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26
STATEHOOD FOR THE TERRITORIES

0NE of the subjects assigned for discussion by
X J the Trans Mississippi Congress is that OF the
- claims of Arizona New Mexico and Okla
homa to statehood The discussion will revive an
issue which has several times been presented Wash
ington and which has been dropped OF late only be-
cause Eastern Senators and Representatives were so
much opposed to the admission of States that might
send silver to the Senate that the advocates OF
the claims OF the Territories felt it would be vain to
press the subject The strong majority OF sound
money men in the Senate will lessen that objec-
tion and it is therefore timely to give thorough
consideration to the issue
While State government is much more costly
than that OF Territory under our administrative
SYSTEM and therefore is not be hastily undertaken
by poor and sparsely populated commonwealths it
has many advantages that the people of every
American Territory have been eager to assume the
responsibilities and attain the privileges of statehood
as soon as possible Those OF Arizona, New Mexico
and Oklahoma not different from Others and have
long been camoring for complete local self-govern-
ment.
! Their claims appear to be fairly we'll justified The
Governor OF Arizona recently estimated the popua-
ton OF the Territory at close on 10000 and the
property is assessed for taxation at value in
OF $3Iooo,ooo. The annual increase in the wealth
during the bad years Just past has been above
land, but over 100000 acres are now under irrigation
and large additional waterways in process Of
structlon More than 100000 cattle, sheep and swine
feed on the hills there nearly 100000 acres OF
pine forests and the mineral output is not only large
but is rapidly increasing
| New Mexico has claims even stronger than those
OF Arizona Her population is close on 3ooooo and
OF these is said 70 per cent read and write The
! Industries OF the people are various, and while no
recent statistics available it is we'll known that
the mining and the cattle interests are extensive and
profitable and there as in Arizona irrigation is rap
idly Transforming deserts into fruitful farms gardens
and orchards.
! Oklahoma is one OF the prodigies of American de-
velopment. Established hardly more than ten wears
ago, 1t has now population of about 100000 1t has
large area OF rich soil, and produces abundant crops
IN great variety 1t has considerable railway facilities
and quite number of fourishing towns have sprung
up to handle its business and afford markets for its
products
The issue is whether no it be advisable to admit
to the Union States which, while prosnerous are We,
SO uniformed that the course of their politics is
doubtful. there is danger that such States would be
simply pocket boroughs for millionaire Senators
more noted for their ability to corrupt legislators than
tor capacity to deal wisely with national affairs
Will be OF course to the interest of the West to have
the Territories admitted as States but that interest
must be subordinate to the general welfare of the
nation The question in every respect an important
one, and unless the objections heavily outweigh ar
guments on the other SIDE the Territories should be
admitted and their people given every privilege pos
sessed by other citizens of the United States.