New-York tribune., 1905-02-02
MAKING NEW STATES.

The hill for the creation of two new States
ont of the four Territories of Oklahoma, Indian
Territory Arizona and New-Mexico which will
be brought to a vote in the Senate next Tues
day. is a compromise measure and, like all
compromises, fails. of course, to meet anybodys
ideal Those who think have States enough
for the present and that no new Senators
should be sent to Washington to represent
sparseIy settled districts feel that the creation
of two States would be only less objectiOna-
BILE than the creation of four. On the other
hand those who for one reason or another are
concerned TO preserve the individuality OF the
existing Territories think that their present
dition is about as endurable as consolidated
Statehood. 1t is impossible to satisfy every
body. Each side must give up something II
any progress is to be made in legislation, and
it would seem as If the pending measure struck
a fair balance with which both can easonahly
be content.
Even those who are most conservative about
swelling the number of the States must agree
that the American citizens who have built up
these Territories cannot be kept indefinitely in
a state of tutelage. They are bound before
long to secure self government and q voice in
national affairs. 1t is idle to think OF keeping
them out. The practical issue is between ad-
mtting two States now or leaving the prob
lem to be solved by future chance. with the
possibility of four States and double the dan
ger of ultimate rotten boroughs To the advo-
Gates of the larger number of States this con-
sideration may seem reason why they should
stand out, In the hope Of getting what they
want If they take purely selfish view OF the
question and are solely concerned TO create
many seats in the Senate and State offices for
themselves, that, of course, will be their att-
tude But, if they aspire to a voice in direct
ing national policy, they should consider the
national welfare superior to the claims of local
or personal interests.
We have faith in the gradual development Of
the Southwest, though we do not believe 1t des-
tined TO support dense population Under the
most favorable conditions New-MexlcO and Ari-
zona together are not likely ever to have more
than a million or a million and half Of people.
That is NOT too much for one State, and If
there is ever anything like that population, or
even any such growth as TO justify Statehood
at all the new development will submerge the
present diverse types and produce a homogene-
Gus people. On the other hand, 1t is TO be re-
membered that the population of a mining coun-
Try is necessarily uncertain. Nobody can tell
when exhausted veins or new discoveries may
cause shifting of the people. small State
which under present promising conditions might
perhaps be thought 10 have some claims to
admission could easily by industrial reverses
be converted into another Nevada. If such
district is to be admitted at all 1t should
have an area large enough to insure against
such contingencies. Arizona and New-Mexico
together would be large enough and have
enough diversity of industries TO guard rea-
sonably against the rotten borough danger. AS
for Oklahoma and Indian Territory, it would
be folly TO think of keeping them separate The
division is recent and was made for temporary
purposes. The wisdom of reunion is obvious.
The pending bill has been carefully framed
for the protection of the civilized Indians and
the promotion of education, and makes strong
claims to the support Of all those who desire to
make the most liberal response possible to the
aspirations of the people in the Territories
while Safeguarding the rights of people in the
present States and the welfare Of the whole
country.