Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-10
The Problem Of New States.


proceed to take up the problem of the
admission of the three territories
which are knocking at the door for
statehood and the matter is one of the
most important to come before the
present session. The House at the last
session, as the easiest way out of the
uncomfortable situation, passed an ON
nibus bill admitting all three of them.
Arizona. New Mexico and Oklahoma.
To statehood. This bill was held up in
the Senate, though it was the general
feeling that had not the fortunes OF
Oklahoma been tied up those of Ari-
IONA and New Mexico. it would have
been admitted. The feeling has grown
that Arizona and New Mexico are not
vet ready for statehood. and the coun-
try has the lesson of one or two ms
takes in the past to make it more con-
servative than it used to be in the mat
ter of admitting new states.
During the summer the Senate COM
mittee on territories has been looking
ever the ground and its report empha-
sizes the opinion that Oklahoma, with
Indian territory added, should be adj
mitted. and that Arizona and New
Mexico should wait a while longer. All
the Republican members of the COM
mittee, except Senator Quay, join IN
this report and the Washington dis
matches indicate that it will be sup
ported by the majority. If the Senate
passes such a bill in place of the one
sent it by the House. no doubt that
body will recede and concur. The
President is a warm friend of The
west and southwest but he did not
mention this matter in his latest mes
sage. He will doubtless sign whatev-
er bill Congress passes and sends to
him for approval.
oklahoma surely has valid claims
for statehood and it is unfortunate that
its case became mixed with that of less
deserving territories. No state ut the
time of it's admission was ever far
,her advanced or more fully developed
than Oklahoma is. Its population,
with Indian territory added, is about
500, OO0, over 100, 900 larger than that of
Maine BY the census of 1900, no fewer
than II states had a smaller popula-
tIat Of hn nrnnnCal state
Of Oklahoma. Moreover, most of its
people are of the same general char
acter as those who make UP the mass
of the population of the older states
OF the Union. They are intelligent and
thrifty white Americans who come
from the neighbOring states and who
b; We education and training to fit them
for citizenship. The territory is one
of great agricultural wealth and its
future is as assured as is that of Kan
sas or Nebraska or Iowa. There can
be no mistake in the admission of such
a territory to the privileges and re-
suona;biitieS of statehood.
Arizona and New Mexico are in an
entirely different position. They have
great natural resources and irrigation
VIII do much to develop them, but their
population is relatively small, not
wholly Of a desirable character, and is
widely scattered over their vast areas.
They are not making rapid progress.
Though very much larger in area, both
together have not half the popula ton
OF Oklahoma and Indian territory. Ar
iona has not half the population ex-
elusive of its Indians. emitting it to
one member of Congress. One-fourth
its People are Indians not taxed. OF
the whole number one-quarter are IL
literate, and large proportion are of
Mexican and Spanish origin. with little
aptitude for American institutions. The
Population of New Mexico is just about
equal to the ratio of one member but
nearly 80 per cent. are illiterate, and
much more than one-half are of the
Spanish Mexican stock. More than
$4,000 cannot even speak English.
As things look now these two big
territories will have to have a larger
aoo more Anlericanized population and
greater development of their re-
sources before they join the union of
states. Fortunately Congress can dis
c,iss the matter with few political con-
siderations to complicate the situation
The admission of new states is some
thing that vitality affects the whole
country. and must be considered from
this point Of view and not only from
the view point of the ambitious terri
tory. Congress Gees well to go slowl!
and to keep well in mind the lesson o
past mistakes.
A Washington correspondent point
out that the death of Mr.. Reed leave