The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-11
REPORT ON THE
OMNIBUS BILL
StrO ng Objections to Arizona and
New Mexico.
POPULATION IS roo SMALL
OTHER REASONS ADVANCED BY
THE OPPOSITION.
POPULATION IS roo SMALL


hOma, Arizona and New Mexico as
states and in support of the substi-
S. tute bill. offered by the committee for
the admission of one state. to embrace
The area covered by the two territories
~ Okla aOma and Indian territory. The
admission of New Mexico and Arizona
Is opposed, on the grounds that the
population in both territories is sparse
and insufficient in mum bers; that vast
majority of the people in New Mexico
nre Of Spanish. descent and speak the
Spanish language only; that many of
the people of both territories do not
understand American Institutions. The
assertion is made that many of the
people do not want statehood
The report discusses at some length
the abstract question of the necessary
qualifications for statehood, and then
takes up the preparedness of the ter
ritories under each of the requisites
specified.
Question of Population.
Accepting the unit or representation
rule, which, under the census Of 1900,
IS 1874. 1872. il is found that New Mex
leo, with 195,310 people, would come in,
but that Arizona would fall considera-
bly, short Of the requirement. The
committee lays down the general rule
5that while no new state should neces-
sarily be as large In population as
any existing state, it is contended that
II should be large enough to bear some
To- the fair proportion to the popula-
tiOn to the rest of the republic And
1t IS declared that it would be well
III the rule could be adopted that any
new state should have a population
equal to the average population of the
rest OF the states. This rule would
require a population for any proposed
new state at the present time of
1,650, 600.
Referring specifically to conditions
found by the subcommittee to exist
I'm New Mexico, it is asserted that the
courts Of the Justices of the peace
are practically all conducted in Span
ish. and that Interpreters are neces-
sEsary IN other courts, as they are in
the legislature. in political conventions
and even in campaign speeches. 1t is
further asserted while both Spanish
and English are taught in the schools.
the school children generally converse
among themselves in Spanish. and that
when the children finish their school
career their tendency is to relapse into
Spanish as the language of their daily
life. 1t is stated that many Jurymen
sign their marks. The committee ad-
1nits that there are many excellent
epeOple among the Mexicans, and say
that when the territory becomes more
Americanized no one will object to
statehood for this territory.
Hard Names Called.
OF the so-called Americans, it is said
that some of them ARE not nearly 50
good citizens in conduct or in the un-
derstanding OF our institutions as the
Mexican element. Such are the riffraff,
to use the expression of United States
Judge Mills, who first follow the in
PRODUCTION OF railroads and such other
elements as are always seen in any
cOuntry's extending frontier.
The report says that many people of
the territory are opposed to its admis-
sion, but intimates broadly that con-
ditions make them fear to express their
convictions.
"a Speaking Of Arizona, It is said the ed
fucaticpal progress of the territory has
been fair and that there is a large per-
centage Of refined people who have been
attracted by the climate and by the op-
portunities for adventure and enter
4priSe- But ii is stated that while these
elements are important and invaluable
Ito the territory and while their infiu-
ence is altogether for good and will
steadily grow. il cannot be truthfully
said that at the present time they are
lin sufficien. numbers to dominate tine
mass OF inhabitants OF the territory.
This is proved by the fact that saloons
and ambiing establishments are by the
statutes of the territory permitted
openly to run by night and by day. on
SUNDAY as well as week days, and at
tempts to repeal this law have been
futile
The report then declares that even
''were all the people OF the territory OF
the admirable class above described
&thoy would be far too few to justify
statehood. The resources and develop
ment of the country also are declared
10 be too limited to entitle the territory
to statehood.
Oklahoma All Right.
Replying to the contention of the
people Of New Mexico and Arizona that
development has been retarded because
of the lack Of statehood. the committee
4 points out that Oklahoma has deyel-
:, oped without statehood. and says:
''The Indian territory. even with no
form Of government at all. has. never
Z theless, attracted hundreds of thou
sands Of American citizens from the
other states of the Union. who have
opened its mines. worked its fields and
bulls up towns which astonish the OBJ
servers and confound even the most
s confident believer in the energy of the
81 American people when the untoward
conditions of the Indian territory are
considered.
The committee says the two terri
tories Of Oklahoma and Indian terri
q tory have a combined population Of
a about 100000 people. OF the people Of
the Indian territory only $1,000 are In
II filAI-e. ana AAttitLitn - tdtltQ ~ Ant
fact that many OF the people of New
MEXICO and Arizona. while called Mex
81 lean. are descendants of Indians as well
s. as OF Mexicans and Spaniards.
COntending for its union of Oklahoma
and Indian territory. the report says
that Oklahoma is too contracted in area
Il for statehood alone, and that nature,
commerce and all human conditions
have decreed that they should be
united"
In conclusion, the committee says
4 that IF it is a mistake not to admit
q New Mexico and Arizona at the pres
ent time. it is also a mistake which
can be remedied by any future con-
81 gress. If it is a mistake to admit them.
and that mistake is consummated, it
never can be undone"
Quay's Report.
Senator Quay presented an individual
report in favor Of the omnibus state
hood bill. He says the Republican ma
following resolution:
I'VE favor home rule for and the
s early admission to statehood OF the
territories OF New Mexico. Arizona and
4 Oklahoma" and calls attention to the
fact that the president and certain sem
ators whom he names, were delegates
to that convention. The proposition TO
exclude New Mexico and Arizona, as
recommended by the majority of the
i committee. Mr.. Quay says. is in direct
Violation of the pledge made by the Re-
SsssAfalican PLATFORM Mr.. Quay says the