Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
Population Misleading.

The item of population here Is somewhat
misleading. Illinois was not admitted until
eight years after the census of 1910. The
census of 1920, two years after her admis-
sion, gave Illinois 55,211 inhabitants. The
average gain shows that she probably had
10000 when admitted. meager enough COM
pared with the population of territories sub
sequently admitted after long obstructive
fights. Approximately, when admitted, In
diana had about $4,000 people, Missouri
1900 Arkansas 65000 Michigan 10000.
Iowa 10000 Wisconsin 2I5, 600, Minnesota
40 600, Nebraska 100000, Colorado 10000
and Washington 100000.
The two Dakotas were a single territory
In 1880, with 49, III inhabitants. One year
after admission the census of 1880 gave
South Dakota S2S,S0S and North Dakota
1S2,719 people. In 1870. one year after ad-
mission, Alabama's population was 12LSo1.
In 1850 West Virginia was still part of old
Virginia. Her population when admitted
as separate state was about $1,000
There was no United States census data
relating to Texas prior to her admission.
She was independent republic.
The very first state admitted, Vermont,
struck snag in her earlier efforts to get
into the Union. But for a dispute between
New York and New Hampshire about its
ownership Vermont would have been one OF
the original states, making the number
fourteen instead of thirteen. Her efforts to
come In as separate commonwealth We're
thwarted for twenty years Her hrst at
tempt was made IN 1lI6.
OriginalIy. Maine was part of Massachu-
setts but isolated by New Hampshire. Its
efforts to get into the Union as state
were long successfully antagonized, both at
home and in Massachusetts, and by pro-
elayery interests. When admitted in 1920,
the district of Maine had nearly 100000
inhabitants, and was at once given seven
Representatives in the House.
Pro and Anti-Slavery distractions.
For upward of forty years the contend
ing pro and anti-slavery factions alter
nately INSTRUCTED the admission of various
states, for fear that the balance Of power
in Congress would be disturbed. Conserva-
tive influences were constantly invoked to
smooth things for the continuance of this
balance after the anti-slavery contest be-
came acute.
This prolonged contest at different times
temporarily impeded the admission of sew
eral OF the states, both north and south.
The slavery question, in it's day. over
Swallowed every other consideration with
Congress in dealing with the question of
admitting territory on either side of
Mason and Dixon's line. Sometimes
southern state, or vice versa, fairly entitled
to admission. would be kept gu for while
until northern territory was ready to
come in, or the belligerant balance agreed
apon, whereupon the two would be stimuli
eaneously admitted, or approximately so.
This plan served to preserve the status quo
I'm the two houses for long time. and
smoothed sectional discomfort. When 1t
failed civil war followed.
On the contrary, this singular policy also
compelled the admission of several of the
states before they were eQuitably entitled
TO the favor on the score of population.
The slavery question began to bear upon
the admission OF states as early as 1916,
when Indiana and Mississippi, Illinois and
Alabama. Maine and Missouri came up for
consideration as prospective states. As In
dIcated, it FASTENED the admission of some
of them and delayed others Chronological
~, this series was evidently admitted on q
preconcerted agreement. Kansas was kept
back several years by the slavery influences,
as We're also Michigan and Wisconsin be-
fore her.
Other Obstacles
But other obstacles before and since the
slavery war have interviewed to baik ter
ritcries ambitious for statehood. Tho op-
position to a division OF Dakota territory
estopped the admission OF the two Dakotas
for a time. just as antagonism now to the
combination of Arizona and New Mexico IN
one state Is causing delay The Mormon
question stood In Utah's path for while,
and at one time was thought to be an In
euperable obstacle to her admission.
Political exigeneies of parties, immediate
and remote have been chief cause from
the beginning for the employment OF OBJ
structive tactics against the admission OF
any given territory, though questions OF
population and geographical delimuation
have always been more or less used pro
and con to suit the requirements of the
occasion.
The admission OF new state carries with
It enormous relative weight in any distribu-
ton of the balance of power in the Senate
tn which body the smallest state has Just
the same representation as the Empire state
with 100000 people.