The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-11
New Works PrO.est.

Il nl state OF Monteaumai with tn
comparative merits OF the two stat,
proposition, the four-state proposition
and the no state proposition we ar,
1 not now concerned, This Is an article
on nomenclature, II Is said IN Wash.
I ington that a two state project Is again
talked of, and that the people of Arlzo-
ma are TO be forced unwnllngly into a
state called Montezuma by submitting
an enabling act for union with New
Mexico TO the combined population OF
the two territories. II is calculated
that Arizona would rather remain Il
territory than accept such statehood.
but by this little game OF bunco they
are to be permitted to be minority
In voting themselves on general bal
lot of both constituencies into the union
The morality Of that scheme might at
another time arouse our interest. but
We are too deeply impressed by the hor-
hor of Montexuma to be moved by any
such minor matter. Better TO dwell In
a perpetual state of slavery than be
pitchforked into state OF Montezuma.
says the New York Tribune.
Who was Montezuma. that SOW
ereign state Of the American union
should bear his name? What assocIa-
ton has he with the land TO be admit
ted? Montezuma is the more or less
incorrect name of more or less myth
ical Indian chief who at the time OF the
Spanish conquest dwelt about thous-
and miles from the territory In question
and probably never saw or heard OF H.
He was not a great warrior or states
man. but appears TO have been an am
liable weakling whose nisfortunes cast
about him halo of sentlmentallty.
II would be about as appropriate to
call the proposed state after the Incas.
Pocahontas, Toussaint L'0uverture or
the legendary Tammany. Congress-
men picking out such name suggests
a romantic mother calling her child for
the heroine Of the last novel she wept
over.
II these two territories are TO be
combined there are already two good
names available. Arizona is euphonI-
Gus and firmly fixed to one part OF the
soil. Descriptively and historically
New Mexico Is even better. and the
nnly reason for abandoning II would be
the jealousy Of Arizonans. New-Mex- |
leo has beer the Eame known the world !
over for that region for four centuries.
Il has been in every geography since
the arrival OF the Spaniards. II IL as
thoroughly naturaIized as Florida or
Louisiana or Texas or California. II
s older than Massachusetts or Vlr-
,inia. II Is no more un-American than
he names Of any Of the other territor-
es which have come down to US from
spain bringing their titles with them,
md no more serviIe imitation than
Iew York or New Jersey or New
The name should run
With the land. II Is Of historic inn
ortance. Wantoniy to blot It from the
nap to replace it with some stupid new
INVENTION would be piece Of verbal
Several names, including that Of JET
erson, have been mentioned in con-
ress for the consolidated territory. or
ven as a substitute for New Mexico
honld that be admitted with its pre-
ent boundaries. They should all be
bandoned and one of the established
ames kept preferably the older and
iore descriptive. If rlvalries make
lat impossible. however, a good local
geographical name should be found in
or rivers, and all unbridled
incies avoided. Likewise names OF
ersons should be avoided. Washing
IN is not good name for a state,
1ough the memorial to the father OF
Is country may be pardoned. 1t is
wkward and leads to confusion. A
anne like Jefferson. already attached
a hundred towns. cities and counties.
ould be inconvenient. Besides, II Is
ot euphonious. 1t is not naturally the
anne Of a country. Aside from the
,lonial names in honor of individuals,
nd those all euphoniously transformed
to natural territorial designations, :
1 the states except Washington have
ad names which came to them natur-
ly from geographical considerations.
he precedent should be followed; and
Jove all, let us not disgrace ourselves .
ith any Montezuma monstrosity! =
War Prisoners Released.
Nagasaki, March 1O.-The crews
the merchant vessels captured by the &