Washington Territory Moves Toward a Constitutional Convention

From the returns so far received, there is a fair probability that the proposition for calling a state constitutional convention will be adopted. Some counties gave a majority against it, and possibly other counties along the Columbia voted adversely. The bulk of the vote on the Sound, however, was in its favor. With such a unanimity as to overbear all the opposition that was brought to bear against it in the areas most directly under the Oregon influence, it is not likely that the step is premature. Among the incidental advantages of Statehood may be mentioned the fact that we would then come into possession of five hundred thousand acres of land for purposes of internal improvement, also of all the swamp and over-flowed lands, which experience has demonstrated to be the richest of all, and likewise of about three million acres of lands for the benefit of the school fund. Year by year, as we continue in a state of Territorial vassalage, the best lands are settled and the purchase price is abstracted from the meagre exchequer of our pioneer communities into the hands of the national institutions and enterprises, and retained in circulation. There is also a considerable arrear of appropriations for rivers and improvements and to aid our railroads and canals which Congress ought to have made but has not done and probably never will until demanded by our full congressional delegation, clothed with plenary powers as members of that body.