The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-11
BEvERIDGE'S
REPORT
REASONS FOR FAVORING ADMISSION
OF OKLAHOMA ALONE.
Speech by GaIusha A. Grow on Capital
and LabOr-BiIIs Passed by
the House.


finished business from the last session, and
by agreement to-day was fixed for calling
it up. Early in the morning hour Mr. Quay
submitted a report of his own. and its
reading occupied the time of the Senate
until o'clock, when the statehood bill was
laid before the Senate. It's reading was
begun Immediately thereafter, followed by
the reading of the substitute. Mr. Bever-
idge, chairman of the committee on Terri
tories, then presented the committee report.
giving the reasons for recommending joint
statehood for Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory and for not favoring the omnibus bill.
The admission of New Mexico and Arizona
is opposed in the report the grounds
that the population in both Territories is
sparse and insufficient in numbers; that a
majority OF the people of New Mexico are
Spanish descent and speak the Spanish
language only; that many of the people of
both Territories are illiterate and do not
understand American institutions. The as
sertion is made that many of the people do
not want statehood.
The report discusses at some length the
abstract question of the necessary quail
fications for statehood and then takes up
the preparedness of the Territories under
each of the requisites specified. Accepting
the unit of representation rule, which
under the census of 1900 is 1874, 1872, it is
found that New Mexico with 195,S10 peo-
pie would come in, but that Arizona would
fall considerably short of the requirement.
The committee lays down the general rule
that while no new State should neces-
sarily be as large in population as any
existing State, 1t Is contended that II
should be large enough 10 bear some fair
proportion to the population of the rest of
the Republic" and it is declared that it
would be well if the rule could be adopt
ed that any new State should have pop
ulation equal to the average population of
the rest of the States This rule would
require population for any proposed new
State at the present time of 1.65OO0o. Re-
ferring specifically to conditions found by
the subcommittee to exist in New Mexico.
it is asserted that the courts of the JUS
tees of the peace are practically all con-
Quoted in Spanish and that interpreters are
necessary in other courts, they are in
the Legislature, in political conventions
and even. in campaign speeches. 1t is
further asserted that while both Spanish
and English are taught in the schools the
school children generally converse among
themselves in Spanish and that when the
dency is TO relapse into the Spanish as the
language of their daily life. 1t is stated
that many Jurymen sign their marks. The
committee admits that there are many
excellent people among the Mexicans and
say that when the Territory becomes more
Americanized no one will object TO state
hood for this Territory. OF the so-called
Americans 1t is said that some of them
ARE not nearly so good citizens in con-
duct or in the understanding our institu-
tons as the Mexican element" Such are
United States Judge Mills, who first fol-
low the introduction of railroads; and
such other elements as are always seen
on any country's extending frontier. The
report says many people of the Territory
are opposed to its admission, but intimates
broadly that conditions make them fear
TO express their sentiments.
Speaking of Arizona, it is said the educa-
tional progress of the Territory has been
fair and that there is a large percentage
OF refined people who have been attracted
by the climate and by the opportunities for
adventure and enterprise. But Ii Is stated
| that while these elements are important
and invaluable to the Territory, and while
their influence is altogether for good and
! VIII steadily grow, IL cannot be truthfully
| said that at the present time they are in
| sufficient number 10 dominate the mass OF
| inhabitants of the Territory. This is proved
| by the fact that saloons and gambling es-
| adjustments are by the statutes of the
| Territory permitted openly to run by night
| and by day, on Sunday as well week
| been futile" The report then declares that
even "were all the people of the Territory
| of the admirable class above described
| they would be far too few to justify state
| hood
The committee says the two Territories OF
Oklahoma and Indian Territory have q
combined population of about 100000. OF
| the people of the Indian Territory only &c.
900 are Indians and attention is called tC
| the fact that many of the people of New
Mexico and Arizona, while called Mexican
| are descendants of Indians well as OF
| Mexicans and Spaniards. Contending fol-
/ its union of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
| tory, the report says that Oklahoma is toe
| contracted in area for statehood alone anC
that nature, commerce and all human con.
/ ditions have decreed that they should bt
united. In conclusion the committee says
that IF it is a mistake not TO admit New
| Mexico and Arizona at the present time il
! is a mistake which can be remedied by any
future Congress. If IL is mistake to ad
init them and that mistake is consummateC
/ ii never can be undone."
| Senator Quay presented an individual re
| port in favor of the omnibus statehood bill
He says the Republican national conven
ton I'm 1900 adopted the following resolu
ton: I'VE favor home rule for and tn.
early admission to statehood of the Terri
tories of New Mexico. Arizona and Okla
] homa," and calls attention to the fact tha
/ the President and certain senator's whom
he names were delegates to that conven
ton.
ate passed a bill refunding certain revenu,
taxes 20 owners of private dies and also
| bill relieving certain importers from the
duty on tea placed In bonded warehouses
! During consideration of the statehood
| measure Mr.. Quay never left the chamber
For the most part he remained in his chair
! only once or twice leaving ii for the pur
| pose OF comforting with some senator neal
| by. Delegates Reedy, of New Mexico, anC
| Flynn. of Oklahoma, were on the floor o.
| the Senate and closely followed the pro
| ceedingS.
Just before adjournment Mr.. Nelson Sc
| cured permission to withdraw the substi
| tute in order to perfect il. Mr.. Qua,
promptly insisted that the substitute 1
| withdrawn. should be sent back to the com
| Tnittee. but the chair ruled against him
Mr.. Quay submitted several resolution
| from citizens of Oklahoma favoring tn
| omnibus bill. y wave OF laughter swep
over the chamber when the clerk read
| telegram which expressed the opinion tina
! statehood FOR Oklahoma would make
| "hopelessly Democratic" Mr.. Quay an
nounced that he had sent 1t to the desk b.
mistake
The action OF Senator Nelson in with
drawing the substitute for the omnibu
! statehood bill. he says, for the pur
pose of making some amendments due q
its hasty drafting. Ii is possible that tn
name Jefferson will be substituted 70
Oklahoma. The withdrawal of the substi
tute prevents a test vote at present, bu
one will occur az soon as IL is again pre-
scented. according TO the notice given b,
Mr.. Quay. The delay of this test vote vii
afford an opportunity for further canvass
ing among the Republicans who are favor
ing the omnibus bill. while a vote woul
have committed them on one side or TN
! other. which was not considered deSira hi