New-York tribune., 1905-01-14
TILE SrATEHnOn BILL.


The bill now pending in the Senate Tor the
creation of two new States out OF Oklahoma,
Indian Territory. New-Mexico and Arizona mas
through the care of Senator Beverdge and ms
associates of the Committee on Territories peer
put in good form 10 safeguard the interests Oh
education and morality, and measure seems 10
have been evolved which awskens controversy
only on the fundamental question OF two or Iour
States Il appears to excite little or no oppo'
sition. so far as the union Of oklahoma ana
Indian Territory is concerned. Such a consoh-
dation is obviously the natural thing. The
present division is of recent date, and was
made in view of temporary conditions which dis
appear with the admission of the clvlilZed trloes
to citizenship. The new State VIII he oniy
about as large as Kansas. and ultimately OF
about the same population. Nobody put those
who want 70 multiply offices would think OF
making two small States of these Territories
The proposed consolidation of New-MeXico and
Arizona, on the other hand. arouses bitter an
tagonism, and in both Territories there are pow
erful influences which would prefer the continu-
ance of existing conditions to Statehood on other
than their own terms.
Objection to single Statehood for the two
Southwestern Territories is chiefly based on the
size of the new commonwealth. Fears are ex-
pressed that at some time il may so grow in
population as to have undue weight in national
too large for convenient local government
Some stress is laid also upon the racial differ
ences in the two Territories but those who use
this argument generally hasten TO explain that
there is no real antagonism between the Anglo
Saxons and citizens of Mexican descent The
advocates Of single Statehood in reply TO the
objections. point out that the new State would
not be SO large as Texas and that its physical
character renders a denser population impos-
cin ff1o+a
Of irrigation in the arid regions come true there
never can be more than a million or million
and a half people in the united Territories,
which is by no means an excessive population
for one State. The present boundaries are arti-
fetal, and there are no such natural differences
between the two Territories as to warrant rep
resentation in the United States for areas rather
than populations; and while territorial indi-
viduality is considerably developed if there is
10 be in the future any such growth as to justify
Statehood at all, it must mean the submersion of
the present differentiated peoples by new and
homogeneous population. If NewMeXico is TO
have only its present communities, dominated by
present traditions, its fitness for separate State
hood cannot be demonstrated and the same
may be said Of Arizona, unless it is certain of a
growth which would not leav. il long under the
Aew-Mexican domination which its people seem
TO fear.
tory is based Oh the mere ambition of politicians
TO hold Office and an unwilIingness TO share
power with politicians in the other il may well
be disregarded. The existence of any desire on
the part OF the railroad interests in the Territories
TO double the number Of Senators which they
might be influential in choosing would be n
positive reason for keeDing down the regions
representation In Congress. There is undoubt-
edly, however, IN each Territory a community
feeling and pride in local institutions which
make consolidation unWelcome These obiec-
hons should be dealt with frankly and svmno-
theucally. The aspiration of the people In
Arizona and New-Mexico is natural and praise.
worthy, but they should consider the matter
from another than their own point of view
Business is booming mines are developing
prospects are bright with them now. Is their
ABILITY permanently to support a large popula-
uon so certain that the nation, however sympa-
Iheuc 10 their desires. can afford TO forget the
lesson OF Nevada? The admission of Nevada
was an emergency measure to aid in the accom-
plishment of great national purpose. but every
body now cOnfesses that it is not fit for State
hood and thinks it a pity that il could not have
been consolidated with Utah. Shall we invite
Ihe same misfortune without necessity? If the
mines should give out or irrigation fall below
ITS promise the very people who now make
ARIZONA what IT is and appeal TO our sympathy
IN their desire 10 be in the Union would go else
where and leave rotten borough to help direct
the destinies of their country 1t is for the peo
pie OF both territories to consider not merely
whether the half loaf of single Statehood is NOT
better than no bread. but also, supposing they
might by waiting overcome opposition ana So.
cure separate admission, if their complete aim
might not be achieved at the possible injury of
the whole nation That may seem like a hard
saying' out' as they aspire TO voice in the ma
uonal counsels, they should try to look at tbis
problem from national point of view. and re-
member that the country has already encoun-
tered serious dangers from reckless State
making.