The San Francisco call., 1903-01-12

4 stand forth as a champion OF the interests
~ Of the Create West Reports from Wash
ington concerning the probable fate of the omnibus
statehood bill are uncertain and varying. Although
the measure has been before the Senate since
the last session, when il was sent up from the House,
it appears there are a considerable number of SEN
ators who have yet made up their minds how to
vote. A resolution OF the California Legislature
urging the passage OF the measure may have the Ell
feet OF inducing some OF the doubtful ones to make
up their minds to vote right.
1t will be altogether right and fitting for the Legis
lature to take action this subject. California
stands as the empire State OF the Great West and
ought therefore to manifest a sympathetic interest
il all that concerns the upbuildng of any Western
commonwealth Moreover we have closer relation
with Arizona and New Mexico and fuller know-
edge OF their conditions than have the people OF the
East, and therefore have good right to speak for
them before the Federal Senate
Action on our part the important there has
been haId fight made against the Territories largely
because OF mere Eastern prejudice against the West
The same elements that long opposed the adoption
OF Federal irrigation law Tor the advancement OF
the arid regions OF the country are now making the
fight against the admission OF the three Territories;
and the arguments in this case. like those in the
IOINcl, are Hdlulg HlOIC lIdl Uduly NOHNCdlCu CA-
pressions OF sectional prejudice and ignorance
The voice of California speaking through her
Legislature by a unanimous resolution will certainly
have effect at the national capital The debate on
the bill has been prolonged to a point where it is
giving occasions for scandals Rumor is busy de-
claring that certain railroads and mining corpora
tions are backing the bill, and the other side it
is said that political and partisan influences are at
work to defeat it 1t will be timely, therefore for
California to utter non-partisan declaration the
subject.
1t is to be regretted that there has been so pro-
longed a controversy over the issue. In the House
ii was treated with true craftsmanship and promptly
passed. 1t was not made question Of partisan
politics. The House is strongly Republican The
original bill went to the Committee on Territories,
where there is also a Republican majority There it
framed and passed in the form in which it is
now before the Senate There were no scandals
about the passage OF the measure in the House,
There waste of time in prolonged al-day
speeches. threshng over subject with which every
is familiar who takes any interest in it at ali
The only things to be considered in the matter are
whether the Territories are sufficiently advanced to
be fitted for statehood. Those questions are to be
answered by statistics of population, wealth. re-
sources and education. In every one of those re-
spects each of the Territories included in the bill
measures up to the requirements OF law and prece-
dent Each OF them is more popuous more wealthy
and has larger than several OF the
wealths that have long enjoyed statehood Moreover
each OF them has potency OF future growth that
will raise it in the future high rank in the
sisterhood of States, leaving some of those whose
Senators are now talking scornfully about Western
mining camps far behind in the for wealth and
population.
Both the great political parties Of the country have
in their national platforms declared in favor of the
admission of the three Territories. The time has
come for the fulhment OF the pledge The Republi-
can Senator's and Representatives especially
charged with fuihilment of the pledge OF their
party, since the power OF government is in their
hands. The Republicans of the House have good
example to those of the Senate and is to be hoped
that when the talking finished and the vote taken
strong majority will be found registered the
side OF those who seek to do justice to the West and
to the three Territories At any it will be we'll
for California to speak the subject by a
unanimous vote OF both houses OF her Legislature.