Mr. WADE. I am assured by gentlemen who have been there and know all about it that the population cannot now be less than 60,000. I have a certificate from the SecyTerritory showing the number of votes given at the last election, which was on the ratification of the constitution; and the whole number of votes, as appears by the abstract of votes filed in the secretary’s office, was 8.084. This is a very large Territory with a people scattered over a very large compass, so that they do not find it convenient to turn out and vote as they do in more thickly popu lated communities where the polls are not so far off and where the roads are facile and good. For that reason when you come to estimate the number ofinhabitants from the number of voters in these western Territories a large allowance should be made on that account. I so pose, as a general thing, there are about 6 inhabitants to a voter, on the average. I am informed by the Delegate from Nebraska that there is no question that there were 1, 600 voters in the Territory who did not a pear at the olls. He has no doubt of that ‘rom all the ight I can get on the subject and that is the judgment of all with whom I have conversed there cannot be less than 60,000 inhab itants there. The Territory is settling up with unprecedented rapidity; settlers are going in there very fast, as I am informed and believe. There are 155 miles of railroad in it, of course giving great facilities for the occupation and settlement of the Territory; and the number of voters denotes a pop nlation us large as most of the Territories we have admitte as States. I do not suppose that any extended argument need be made on this subject, because when a Territory is ripe for admission as a State, when the people think themselves capable of carryin on a State government, when the feel that t iey would like to have the contro of their own affairs in their own hands, it has been the policy of the Government to grant them that privilege. I never knew more than one case, and that the case of Colorado, where Congress set themselves up as the guard ians of a people who had deliberately made u theirjndgment that they had sufficient pop uation and ability to carry on a State government. A Territory is always an incumbrnnce to the General Government; it is attended with a good deal of expense; and to relieve the General Government of that burden is a point of some importance; and certainly when the intelligent people of the U.S. residing in a Territory anywhere have deliberately made up their minds that they are wealthy enough and numerous enough to set up for themselves, their decision ought to be respected. It is like the case of a family. When younger members in good standing believe themselves capableof taking care of themselves, it is for the interest of the whole concern to permit them to do so. These people have formed a very good constitution; they are able to conduct their own affairs; and I have no doubt that they will be one of the most prosperous States immediately if you pass this Iiill. Now, sir, ifI were to talk 2 hours I could throw no more light on the subject, and in view of the little time there is left to us I do not wish to talk. I will say no more, unless some gentleman desires to ask a question that I may or may not be prepared to answer.