Based on the historical account, the statement that BEST summarizes a common argument against admitting California as a free state is "<u>It would disrupt the existing balance of power between slave states and free states</u>."
Before the admittance of California as a free state in 1850, the number of States in the United States was 30, with 15 each serving as slave states and free states, respectively.
However, as California was admitted as a free state, making it the 16th free state, many Southern states who were slave states felt that it would affect the power balance or decision structure in the Senate.
This made the US Congress to guaranteed the slave states that there would be no federal restrictions of slavery on Utah or New Mexico.
Hence, in this case, it is concluded that the correct answer is option B. "It would disrupt the existing balance of power between slave states and free states."
Learn more here: brainly.com/question/21773386
