Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition

by James Alton James; Albert Hart Sanford

—The first Territories of the United States were formed in the region lying north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. Here several of the original States (viz., Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia) had had claims, which they ceded to the general government during the period of the Confederation. This region was given the name Northwest Territory. It was governed under the Ordinance of 1787 enacted by Congress for this purpose. As settlers came into this region, Congress passed special acts for the government of the different Territories that were erected where now we find the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

In like manner, the region lying south of Kentucky was ceded to the United States by the Carolinas and Georgia, and was then formed into Territories and governed by Congress. Next, the Louisiana Purchase, Florida, the Mexican Cession, and the Oregon Territory came under the control of Congress; a succession of Territories was thus created, all of which have now been admitted into the Union as States. In the government of these Territories, Congress has acted in accordance with an important power granted to it by the Constitution.

Article IV, Section 3, Clause 3. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.

The Government of Territories.—Our Territories at present are Alaska, Porto Rico, and Hawaii.

The governing authorities in each are: (1) a governor, appointed by the President, with the consent of the Senate; (2) administrative officers—secretary, treasurer, auditor, attorney-general, adjutant-general, and superintendent of education, all appointed in the same way; (3) a legislature consisting of two houses, the members of the lower house, at least, being elected by popular vote; (4) a system of courts in which the judges are appointed by the President and Senate.

Relations between Territories and Congress.—A Territory is organized by an Act of Congress which provides for these officers and prescribes their powers. The Territorial legislature controls the internal affairs of the Territory; but its acts may be changed or vetoed by Congress. The people of a Territory have no voice in National affairs, but they elect a delegate to Congress, who may debate but not vote.

Porto Rico.—The government of Porto Rico is different at some points from that of the other organized Territories. The upper house of its legislature is the Executive Council and consists of the administrative officers of the Territory (secretary, treasurer, auditor, commissioner of the interior, attorney-general, and commissioner of education) and five other persons appointed by the President. Five of the eleven members of this council must be natives of Porto Rico. The House of Delegates has thirty-five members, elected triennially by the voters. There is elected by the people a "resident commissioner" to the United States, who, unlike the delegates from other Territories, has no seat in Congress, but rather has official relations with the President.

The Territory of Hawaii.—Hawaii was annexed to the United States in 1898, and its government was established by Congress in 1900. The administrative officers in this Territory are appointed by the governor, instead of by the President. Voters in Hawaii must be able to read and write either the English or Hawaiian language.

Alaska.—By a law of 1912, Alaska was given for the first time a Territorial legislature, consisting of two houses, elected by the people.

Our Government in the Philippine Islands.—The Philippines constitute the largest part of "our insular possessions," and are not classed as Territories. The word "colonies" better expresses their relations to the United States. They are governed by a commission of nine members: the governor, four heads of departments (Americans), and four Filipinos. All are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. This commission constitutes the upper house of the legislative body; the lower house or assembly is elected from certain districts of the islands where the people are considered civilized and are at peace. Voters must be property-owners and be able to read and write English or Spanish.