The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-18
THE STATEHOOD BILLS.
All VIII Likely Pass Congress fl Ok
IahOma Be Admitted.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 17.-There is already
interest manifested to know what will be
the course OF the Senate in refer
enos to the territorial bills which
are coming from the House of
Representatives. The Senate territorial
committee has not held a meeting during
the present Congress or since the commit
tee was organized by the Democrats. and
there has consequently been no formal ex-
preston Of opinion on the part of members
upon the question of the admission of new
States. Inquiry develops the fact that the
committee will probably not take up any of
the bills for serious consideration prior TO
the Christmas holidays. A committee meet
ing will in all probability be called for some
day next week. and it is possible that the
matter will be taken up and that there will
be a general exchange of opinions among
members of the committee; but, as the hol-
idays will be so near then, it is safe to say
that the entire question will go over until
January. The prevailing opinion among
members OF the committee is that the COM
mittee will be found to be generally favor
able TO the bills for admission, but there
are almost sure to be some disagreements
on minor points. Senator Faulkner, who is
chairman of the committee. has been in
cIined to favor the admission OF Utah,
Arizona and New Mexico for several years,
ard the Democrats of the Senate have gen.
orally taken grounds in favor of their adj
mission because, from party point OF
view, il is believed that their admission
Will be favorable TO the Democrats. There
has been some apprehension that the Re
publican Senators might oppose admission
because OF party reasons, but an Imperfect
canvass OF the Republican members of the
committee justifes the statement that, In
committee, 1T least. there will De con2par-
an members OF the committee except Sen
atcr Plat are Western men. and are in
clined TO admit new States from that sec
ton. being convinced that their people are
capable OF maintaining statehood
There has not as yet been a bill intro
duced for the admission of Oklahoma, out
there is no doubt that the Senate will pass
upon "A bill for Oklahoma's admission at
the same time the other bills are consid-
cred. and it is probable that Z. bill for Ok
lahona's admission will be attached TO one
OF the other bills. probably that for the ad-
mission Of Utah. for the sake of expedition.
The Republicans think that the chances for
Republican success would be better In OK
lahoma than In any of the other proposed
States. and may demand this as a conces-
sion, which il is believed the Democratic
members OF the territorial committee Will
grant without much quibbling.
The New Mexico bill will probably meet
with more opposition in committee than
doubt that the population of that Territory
Is insufficient to justify admission If this
point alone be considered, but they assert
of a character TO make that the best OF
States. Exception is taken to the fact
that most Of the residents Of New Mexico
do not speak the English language, and
that Spanish is the prevailing tongue. rem
dering il necessary to have an interpreter
even in the Legislature There Will also
be revival OF the effort 10 have Utah
and Nevada joined one State. and 1t
IS more than probable that this VIII prove
20 be one Of the knottiest questions which
will present itself in connection with the
Utah admission. The argument is made
that Nevada's population Is not sufficient
for statehood. and il is also asserted that
81 the Nevada population should be united
with that OF Utah there would be less
ground for apprehension that polygaIny
might be revived i'm Utah under State con-
troll The silver question may also cut a
figure, and some Senators from the Eastern
States may he inclined TO oppose admission
because OF the fear OF Strengthening the
oliver party, and especially in the Senate.
The admission of Utah. Arizona, New Mex
Eco and Oklahoma would result in seating
eight new Senators, all OF whom would
rrobabIy be silver men, 1t il asserted that
the President has been considering this
point and fears are already expressed that
IL the bills pass the Senate some of them
may be vetoed by him.