New-York tribune., 1902-03-03
NEW STATES PROPOSED.
PLANS For ADMISSION or
THE FOUR TERRITORIES.
SENATE. HOWEVER. MAY NOT LEND ITS
AID OWING TO POLITICAL
CONDITIONS.
CONDITION
rBr TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE, ]


Washington March 2-In the last week the
House Committee on Territories has partially
opened the door Of Statehood 10 the only four
remaining Observation-Disclosures. Arizona New
Mexico and Indian Territory. The committee
already has reported favorably bills for the ad-
mission Of Oklahoma, Arizona and New-MeXico,
and tomorrow il viii make a favorable report
the bill introduced by Mr.. Moon. of Tennessee,
for the creation Of the Indian Territory into the
Territory Of jefferson This of course. is pre-
Iimnary to Statehood legislation for the Indian
Territory. in that the Moon bill provides for the
immediate abolition Of the anomalous political
condition whore what little government there is
is administered separately and independently by
tribes Of Indians
The Dawes Commission, which for nearly
dozen years has been struggling with the prob
lem Of abolishing the communal relations be
tween the Indian owners of the several tribes
and equitable allotment of the lands, has
about completed its labors. and will soon be
ready to submit a practical scheme. Following
This. the community of five tribes will be con-
solidated into a single political entity and con-
solidated into the Territory Of jefferson. with all
the rights and inmunities that other regularly
organized Territories enjoy under the Federal
Government.
When allotment shall have been completed
there will be witnessed the last rush in the
United States of white settlers to the rich lands
which for more than half century have been
adding nothing TO the national wealth under
the tribal system of government.
QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION.
Whether or not the Territory eventually Will
become a State is a question for future legisla-
ton. as two propositions on that point
pending One is for it to be annexed to Okla
homa, and thus acquire statehood. and the other
is to make it a separate State soon as the
white men get complete control of it.
AS this matter already is live political issue
in the Southwest. with important national
bearing because of its relations to representa-
tion in the Senate IL is expected that it will re-
main unsettled for many years. Indian Terri
tory, the Territory of jefferson. as it doubt
less soon will become, Is overwhelmingly Demo
cratic. with little hope of Republican ascen-
dency. Oklahoma is Republican by a small ma
joriIy. and if the two Territories should be
merged into one State the prospects would favor
the election Of Democratic Senators and Repre-
sentatives. Each section is large enough in area
and rich enough in resources 10 become popu-
lous and prosperous state. and st is pointed ont
that should the cause of separate statehood
finally prevail the factor of political danger
would be neutraIized by Oklahoma electing two
Republican Senators and what is now Indian
Territory electing two Democrats.
Political considerations similar to these in all
respects exist in the other two Territories.
Arizona is usually Democratic, and New-Mex-
leo is at present Republican, but with strong
Democratic leanings. Thus, from the political
aspects Of the case. the Republican managers
are not encouraged TO look favoraby upon the
application of any of these Territories for ad-
mission 10 the sisterhood of States except Okla
homa.
REASONS FOR NO UNDUE HASTE.
There is a still more potent reason for keeping
them out of Statehood for some time yet, and
that is that Oklahoma is the only member Of
the quartet whose citizenship be said to be
fit for the responsibilities of full participation
in national government. The last census shows
that the population of both Arizona and New
Mexico is largely Of Mexican and Indian de-
scent, and the vast tracts of arid lands In both
OF them not inviting to hasty settlement
Should they secure representation in Congress
the huge scheme Of irrigation now being so ener-
getically promoted would be advanced at the
expense of the national revenues and the tariff
question would become more complicated in the
Senate than in is at present. The wool and
live stock interests would send to the Senate
from these States representatives pledged
10 higher duties than the manufacturing inter
ests Of the East now care for In view OF all
Of these phases of the question il is Thought
that none OF the bills for the creation of new
States which the House is now considering Will
receive favorable attention in the Senate for a
long time.