The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-27
What Is the West1

Tn the october number Of the Worlds
Work there IS an article by tho late Gov.
John A. Johnson. Of Minnesota. entitled
"The Call Of the West" When the
colonies of New York. Pennsylvania.
Maryland, Virginia, and North Caro-
lima had won their independence. they
possessed territory extending beyond the
Allegheny Mountains. and all that region
10 the Mississippi was known as the
West After the purchase OF Louisiana
from France. the country beyond the
Mississippi River became the West and
it is this Mississippi territory that
is mentioned by Gov. Johnson. Two OF
the States which he classes as the West
are on both sides of the Mississippi River.
one Of these is his own State, Minnesota.
and the other louisiana. The States and
Territories west Of the Mississippi River
embrace more than SO per cent Of the
area Of the United States. and have n
population Of nearly 100000 Of people
about equal 90 that OF England or Italy
and three-fourths Of that Of Prussia or
France In this territory Of the West
there are to-day about 5OQOCO,OOO acres in
farms. which amounts to one-half Of the
cultivated area Of the United States.
Including stock and improvements. this
Western farm plant is valued at $1,000
10000 which is more than one half
greater than the total estimated wealth
Of the United States in 1850
This West produces 90 per cent OF the
gold and silver Of the United States.
The gold and silver product Of the West
since 1919 equals approximately 10 per
cent Of the current gold and silver money
Of tie world.
The real property with improvements. N
these Western States and Territories in
1901 exceeded the total estimated wealth
Of the United States in 1860. while the
aggregate wealth for 1904 Of the country
west Of the Mississippi River, from all
sources. was only a little less than the
total wealth OF the United States in
1870
Gov. Johnson recalled that the purchase
Of Alaska from Russia in 1867 was by
many deemed a useless extravagance.
II has shown, however, that Alaska has
paid for itself by a wide margin IN
revenues returned to the government.
while in gold, copper, furs, fish. and
timber. Alaska has rewarded the indus
try Of American citizens during tho
past forty years with an aggregate pro-
duce Of at least $20OOOQO0O.
The purchase Of Louisiana Territory
was met by a storm Of protests. and so
great statesman as Josiah Quincy IN
1911 opposed the admission Of Louisiana
into the Union as State on the ground
that there should be no states created
west of the Mississippi River.
Gov Johnson said in his article.
"What would the statesmen OF 1so3 who orposed
The Louisiana purchase for raltry aj.OOOo OF
those q 1870 who considered the Oregon countrv Of
90 value. OF those Of 1867 who doubted the wisdom
Of acquiring Alast1--what would they think were
they confronted IA their graves by The rrc1rdiug
angel with y financial statement Of the wealth Of
the West for 1909! What would they think Of The
proposition that scarcely century after jefferson
purchase. the wealth Of the western half Of IN,
United States equals two-thirds that Of France o.
% Germany. nearly the total wealth OF Russia. and
approximately that Of Italy and Austria Hungar,
combinedr
The fact however. remains that tho
country beyond the Mississippi River can
not IN either material or political inter
ests be divorced from the States on the
east bank and west Of the Allegheny
range. In the vast valley between the
eastern and the great western ridge OF
the Rocky Mountains is one immense ter
ritory watered by the mighty river and
IT'S numerous tributaries. II extends
through twenty degrees or the earth's