, 1888-12-14
Discussing the Territories.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l3.-The house
Democratic caucus tonight, after Il ses-
sion lasting over three hours, adopted the
following resolution:
Resolued, That in the judgment of this
caucus provision should be made by which
Dakota may be admitted into the Union
as n state or two states as the people of
the two proposed states may hereafter
determine. Also that necessary legisla-
ton ought to be provided for the early
admission into the Union of the terrific
ries of Washington. Montana and New
Mexico; that these measures should all be
embodied in one bill either by amend
ment of the pending bill or otherwise as
to details as the committee on territories
shall determine, and that the order Of the
house for the consideration of measures
should be made at an early day and the
bill considered in the house at the earliest
day practicable.
Utah, although not mentioned in the
resolution, 1t was agreed should be admit
ted into the Union but BY a separate bill.
Sixty members were in attendance at
the caucus, and it was evident that they
had come nearer to an understanding
since the previous night. Cox opened
the proceedings with a long speech in
concluding which he said he was opposed
to Utah coming in on the omnibus bill,
but was willing to defer to the wish ofthe
caucus, and accept that measure provided
it was understood that Dakota should
have the privilege of division.
Dockery of Missouri, Wheeler Of Ala
bama, Blount of Georgia, Mansur of
Missouri, Rice and Mcdonald Of Mime
sofa, Voorhees, of Washington Territory
and others took the same ground.
Oates and Herbert of Alabama, and
McMillin of Tennessee, stoutly opposed
the division of Dakota. McMillin de
clared it would be political suicide Tor 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 con-
tinue to be Republican Notwithstanding
any action the Democratic house might
take looking to their admission.
The Dakota question then became lost
sight of temporarily in the discussion
be included in the omnibus bill. Delegate
Cain of Utah made an earnest appeal for
the inclusion of his territory in the pro-
pOscu UNI lie sdlu pOllRauhy WIS uOh
no longer practiced to any extent, and the
Democratic party should not undertake to
deny Utah admission solely because Of
the religious belief of some of her citi-
zens. Breckenridge of Kentucky sec
onded the appeal, saying that Utah would
probably be the only Democratic state in
the lot, and ought not to be omitted.
After further discussion the committee
on territories was requested by a vote
showing a small majority in favor of 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 favor of the
omnibus bill, to include the territories
having a ratio of population emitting
them to one member of congress.
Cox closed the debate in a speech in
which he asked the members to accept
the proposition OF Judge Holman leaving
the Dakota question to the people of that
territory and providing for the admission
of the other territories named. The Hol,
man resolution was amended by a sugges.
ton from Speaker Carlisle aud then
adopted and the caucus adjourned.