Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-14
TWO TERRITORIES
Bills for Admitting Arizona and New
Mexico to Be Called Up.
NEITHER CAN PASS THIS SESSION
Delay May Affect the Political
Complexion Of Both.
DISCRIMINATION AS TO UTAH

DISCRIMINATION AS TO UTAH
Although it has been apparent for some
time that the House bills for the admission
of Arizona and New Mexico into the Union
must fail in the Senate, those measures
| viii be called up before the session closes
and an open record made on them in that
body Political considerations are involved,
and each side will charge responsibility for
the defeat or the other. The republicans
will object to taking up the bills, and this
will give the democrats their case, while
| the fact that the bills called up at so
late day in the session that debate is inn
possible will be seized by the republicans
to support their charge that the eleventh
hour activity of the democrats Is only
meaningless stage play.
Good Deal Of MancuverinE.
There has been a good deal of maneuVer-
ing about the proposition to admit these
two territories and the prediction was
made year ago in more than one quarter
that this Congress would take no action
Eastern democratic leaders were accused
of being secretly hostile because of the
prevailing silver sentiment in Arizona ana
New Mexico. and the fear that in the event
of the granting of statehood four senators
would be added to the ranks of the free
coinage men. 1t was assumed that Wheth-
er the one party or the other won at the
polls, the result would be a silver triumph
in accordance with the demands OF the
silver interests. The republicans were ac-
GU. ed of sharing fully in this feeling, and
of artfully concealing it behind series OF
criticisms directed at certain questions re
snectinr lands and school funds. The
friends of the territories have, neVerthe-
10 In
to secure favorable action in time to enable
Representatives to take their seats in the
EeXt Congress. The blocking of the way
by the tariff bill offered as an excuse
for the delay at the last session, and now
it is asserted that nothing can be done
because of the limited time at the disposal
of Congress and the attitude of the reDub-
lican Senators.
Change of Political Complexion.
What the effect~of this disappointment
will be on the political complexion of the
two territories is a problem. Both, until
the last election, had been reliably demo-
cratic. Democrats had been sent as dele
gates to Congress. and democratic major
tiles had controlled in the territorial lesis-
latures. Euk in November last the republic
can tidal wave did not confine itself to
state boundaries, but swept over the terri
tories as well. and rolled up republican ma
iorities in both Arizona and New Mexico
Democratic apathy manifested itself there
elsewhere, and republican. delegates
We're elected to Congress- 1t is not denied
that the failure of Congress to pass the
bills providing for statehood more less
affected the result. The people of the terri
tories had been led to expect prompt ac-
ton The appeal to their political
friends. Both territories We're democratic.
and the Congress and the President We're
of that party. 1t seemed only necessary.
therefore, to make out their case accord
ing to the constitutional prescription. show
ing the necessary population and other
qualifications, TO insure an immediate re-
sponse. This response. however. did not
come and what was still more discourage
ing. the reports gained credit that 1t was
being withheld for reasons relating to the
silver question. Was it true that eastern
Influences had prevailed, and that not until
the financial question settled should
Arizona and New Mexico be admitted as
states? The local democratic managers
found it impossible to arouse any enthusi-
asm in the ranks of their followers, and
their party vote was appallinsly light
The Republicans Opportunity.
Now will come the republican oppor-
tunity, for, regardless of the fact that the
republicans have opposed admission in this
Congress, they are expected to forward
probable action in the next. The republic
can delegates from the territories will take
up the work, prepare bills that will meet
with the approval of their party leaders in
the Senate, and before the next Congress
closes secure nndl dCllOu Oh tutl anu re-
turn to their constituents with the credit
of having accomplished before a republic
can Congress what their democratic prede
cessors failed to accomplish before n dem
ocratic Congress. The effect of this, 1t is
conceded, is likely to cut an important fig
ure in the campaigns that will follow for
the constitutional conventions, and the re-
suit may be the bringing in of the two
new states republican in politics.
There is said to be some feeling also
the extra consideration shown Utah by
this Congress. All three territories knock
ed for admission at the same time and
with equal rights. Utah was the richest in
resources, but Arizona and New Mexico
gave the necessary constitutional account
of themselves. The House passed the three
bills but the Senate has passed only the
Utah bill. This discrimination Is said to
have awakened some resentment among
ed. They We're not opposed to the admis-
sion of Utah-they even rejoice at her sue
cess-but they are unable to forgive the
discrimination against themselves by
Congress to which has been open all of
the facts in the three cases. Utah will
elect her state officers and first state legis-
ature next fall and be enabled thus to
vote in the next Cor gress on the question
of the admission Of her two companions,
who started out for the prize of statehood
at the same time that she did, and appar-
entity with an equal right to as promptly
securing 1t.