Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1889-02-13
MAGINNIS SPEAKS.
THE PROSPECTS OF STATEHOOD
-s =t.Ss=e OUTLINED.
The Democratic Party Acts Generously
Attempts Made to Exclude New
Mexico From State
r. hood.

HELENA, Feb. 9.-In an interview with
an Independent reporter, Major Martin
Maginnisspoke in part as follows:
II see the conference has disagreed, as
you say all these minor and technical OBJ
lectlons could be overcome what is the
probable ground of disagreement?n
"Mew Mexico is the probable pretext,' .
replied Major Maginnis. "Some of the
republicans profess to oppose the admis-
sion OF that territory now, though it has
more people than either Montana or
Washington, and is as well qualified for
admission. Fourteen years ago when
Steve Elkins was delegate every republi-
can in the house and senate voted for the
admission Of New Mexico. It had not
one-third the people or property 1t now
has; but it had a republican delegate. To
reverse their action wssseems to me the
boldest partisanship. do not believe
they can hold together on it. Senators
Stewart, Jones and other friends Of the
west told me they would vote for its ad-
mission. ] see they have spoken up
bravely for itin the republican caucus af-
though they were voted down by the New
England senator's"
y Then you think the bill has q chance
to passs'
~ do. I am sure the western republi-
can senators will not sustain Platt in his
objections to New Mexico ii it ever comes
to vote in the open senate. At least
they told me they would not; Stewart was
especially outspoken about it and others
but little less so. Still they may feel
themselves bound by the caucus action"
II see by to-day's dispatches that the
conference has agreed to report disa-
greement to their respective houses"
"That is the usual course. It is taken
in order to test the sense of the houses on
the points Of disagreement If either
house failed to sustain it's conferees that
would soon end it. If otherwise, as is
the usual custom, a new conference COM
mittee will be appointed which will act
under the expressions of their respective
houses as shown in the votes"
"You say the bill so far as 1t concerns
Montana is most satisfactory
"Nothing could be more so, more
favorable bill could not be drawn. That
IS of course with the few technical
objections corrected"
"lf this bill fails, how long will it de-
lay admission?"
"Certainly for two years, and then we
would have to come in under precisely
slmIlaT DIl. luo next congress is so
close that neither party has control of it,
and everyone of experience knows that
no legislation can be had except by agree
ment.n
"An the Montana democrats, including
the delegate, have done all they could for
"Most certainly. Mr. Toole has worked
hard. He made good speech under un-
favorable circumstances. It was the close
OF the day, but he attracted the attention
OF the house. / remained in Washington
and did my best to secure democratic
support That party under all the cir
cumstances has been quite liberal and
magnanimous. Now the matter Is in the
senate. It is time for our re-
publican friends to show their good will
If they have it, as am sure most of them
have. Having seen my side Of the house
do its duty l came home. believe the
bill will pass. It is pretty hard for the
republicans to insist that the southern
men shall vote for four northern terri
tories and that one southern territory,
which has good right to come in as any
Of them, shall be reiected.o