The Calumet news., 1912-02-21
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FROM ARIZONA TO ALASKA =!



The admission of Arizona as a Stat,
disposes OF the last remaining territory
i'm what is known as the contiguous
United States. This excludes Alaska
Hawaii and Porto Rico, the first o
which is separated from the rest of the
Country by British Columbia, and the
other two by wide stretches of watcf
The United states is now what It's
name implies. a Union of States
The event is of significance, and
the manner of It's bringing about is In
teresting. The means employed were
non political. The results were obtain :
ed without any partys knowing or ap-
parently caring whot would be the
political result. The only questions
raised We're. first. whether there was
sufficient stable population To make 4
state, and, second. what should be the
fom of government. ON the first
there was substantial agreement;
on the second President Taft had views
that finally compelled revision OF the
Arizona Constitution.
II is interesting 10 contrast the ques-
tions involved in the admission of Ari-
Gona and New Mexico with those in
volvod in the admission of States be
fore the War The predominant issue
then was the relative weight of free
and slave States in the United States
Senate and the Electoral College. The
system of compromise whereby one
free State let i'm has become almost
forgotten history. though it was OF
paramount importance only two sener .
ations ago Had slavery continued.
such Northern States as the two Da :
kotas. Montana, Wyoming. Washington,
Idaho and Colorado would have had to
wait until they could be balanced by
slave States.
This unnatural and destructive innu l..
ence in the politics of the country was
excised at tremendous expense OF blood
and treasure, but every year gives
new evidence of the wisdom and nee
essity of the sacrifice.
The theory Of making States out OF
Territories is that States evolve sys-
TENS of local laws fitted to their own
local conditions, that State pride and
state opportunities attract settlers,
and that the country is developed fas-
ter and better because Of the sover-
eighty of the State. These hopes have
been realized in every instance where
a Territory has been admitted as a
state, with the exception of Nevada
which has grown beautifully less, and
is today far from a live member of
the body polite.
Looking to the future the United
states sees only Alaska, Hawaii and
Porto Rico remaining under the direct
Federal jurisdiction. Hawaii will no
doubt, retain the territorial form for
a good while to come. Porto Rico is
too alien in blood as yet for state
hood. Alaska is in a different situa-
ton. It is recruiting its settlers from
the States. 1t is strictly white
mans country. 1t Is not even yet a
Territory. but a district ruled without
local legislature. a satrapy under
United States Judges. What shall be
done about Alaska? How shall its
wealth be developed Mslt land laws
oppress it. Congress sits mute, while
the people OF Alaska cry for help. It's
people import coal or freeze. while the
greatest body OF undeveloped coal on
the Continent lies Idle. Not even the
local industries are allowed to use
enough for their own needs How long
viii Congress remain supine. while
Alaska suffers?-Minneapoli Journal