The Delta independent., 1888-12-18
CAUCUS OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS
Favorable Action on the Admission of
Territories to Statehood.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The House
Democratic caucus tonight, after session
lasting over three hours, adopted the fol
lowing resolution:
RcsotUcd, That in the judgment of this
| caucus provision should be made by
| which Dakota may be admitted into the
Union as one State or two States, as the
people of the two proposed States may here
after determine; also, that the necessary
legislation ought to be provided for the
early admission into the Union the Terri
tories of Washington, Montana and New
Mexico: that these measures should all be
embodied in one bill, either by amendment
OF the pending bill or otherwise as to de
tails, as the Committee on Territories shall
determine; and that an order OF the House
for consideration of the measures should
be made at an early day and the bill con-
sidered in the House at the earliest day
practicable.
Utah, although not mentioned in the res
olution, it was agreed, should be admitted
into the Union, but by separate bill.
Sixty members were in attendance ut the
caucus and IL was evident they had come
nearer TO an understanding since the prev
ious night.
Mr.. Cox opened the proceedings with a
long speech, in concluding which he said
that he opposed Utah coming in on the Om-
nibus bill, but was willing TO defer 10 the
wish of the caucus and accept that meas
ure, provided it was understood that Da
kota should have the privilege OF division
Messrs. Dockery of Missouri, Wheeler
of Alabama, Blount Of Georgia, Mansura Of
Missouri, Rice and Mcdonald c: Minnesota,
voorhees, Of Washington, Terry and others
took the same ground.
Messrs. Oates and Herbert OF Alabama
and McMillin of Tennessee s;outly opposed
the division OF Dakota. Mr.. McMillin de
clared that il would be political suicide for
the Democratic party TO admit all these
new States. The Democratic party should
go slow in the matter. These proposed
States were Republican and would continue
TO be Republican, notwithstanding any
action the Democratic House might take
looking 10 their admission.
The Dakota question then became lost
sight OF temporarily in the discussion over
cluded in the omnibus bill.
Delegate Caine of Utah made an earnest
appeal for the inclusion OF his Territory in
the proposed bill He said polygamy was
row no longer practiced 10 any extent and
the Democratic party should not under
take 10 deny Utah admission solely because
OF the religious belief OF some of her cit
zcns
Mr.. Breckenridge Of Kentucky seconded
the appeal, saying that Utah would prob
ably be the only Democratic State in the
10, and ought not ,o be omitted.
After further discussion the Committee
on Territories was requested, by votes
showing small majority in favor of the
the proposition. TO prepare and present to
the House a separate bill for the admission
Of Utah
Speaker Carlisle and Judge Holman then
addressed the caucus in fsyorof the omui-
bus bill 10 include the Territories having a
ratio Of population emitting them to one
member Of Congress.
Mr.. Cox closed the debate in speech in
which he asked the members Ia accept the
proposition Of Judge Holman, leaving the
Dakota question to the people Of that Ter
ritory and providing for tho admission Of
the other Territories named
Mr. Holman's resolution was amended by
a suggestion from Speaker Carlisle and
then adopted and tho caucus adjourned.