Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-06-02
HOW STATEHOOD
WAS HUNG UP
The Senate Committee on Territories Turned
Down Motion to Consider the Omni-
bus Statehood Bill at Its
Session Today.
0TERO is AGAINST ANY
FORM Of NATIONAL LEASE Law
Says a Washington dispatch:

| LlleTe VIII De no territories made into
states during this session of congress
The omnibus bill granting statehood tC
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma
ran against the snag today which was
| prof'ic!fG fo. It, A vote of the senate
committee on territories developed the
! fact that the advocates of statehood
are in the minority. There are eleven
senators on the committee. Five are In
favor of the statehood bill and six are
opposed to it. There is no possible
likelihood of change. Consequently
the omnibus bill which was battled for
| so manfully in the house by the terri
torial delegations and their sympathiz-
ers will remain in the custody of the
senate territories committee unreport-
| ed.
The committee on territories met last
week for the purpose of considering
minor affairs of legislation affecting the
territories. When these were disposed
of, Senator Quay arose and inquired
whether it would not be possible for
the committee to take up the statehood
measure at an early date Chairman
Beveridge and few other members of
the committee looked annoyed.
IT am sure that it Is getting late in
the session to consider the BILL" said
Senator Beveridge: land, too there are
many other matters which need atten-
tion."
Senator Quay said that there was
provision for statehood for the terri
tories in the Republican platform and
that provision ought to be carried out.
There We're other remonstrances on the
ers. Then Senator Patterson moved
that when the committee adjourned,
that 1t meet on Monday next for the
purpose of considering the omnibus bill
providing statehood for Arizona, New
Mexico and Oklahoma. There was an
aye and nay vote. The following voted
against the motion: Bevelidge, Dilling-
ham, Nelson. Bard, Burnham and
Kean. The following voted for it:
Quay, Bates, Heitfield and Patterson.
Senator Bailey, another member of the
committee, who was absent. would
have voted for the motion. OF the five
members of the committee who desire
statehood for the. three territories. four
are Democfacs, Ssnatot Quay is Re-
publican.
There may be further attempts on
the part of the minority of the commit
tee to have the statehood measure re-
ported, but there is little possibility Of
any of the majority yielding.
LEASING LEGISLATION.
All prospects of legislation, on the
subject of leasing the public lands for
grazing purposes were laid at rest last
week by the action of the house COM
mittee on public lands, which decided
that the consideration of the Lacey
leasing bill should be indefinitely post
ooned. The committee thought that 1t
would be we'll to allow public opinion
On the plan to mature before taking |
any action. and therefore will do moth
ng further in the matter this year
Representative Bell before this was
decided by the committee protested
against the leasing bill because small
,attle owner could not fence a lease
lold for few head of cattle, and the
arge cattle owners could not afford to
ease because the short time allowed
would not justify him in fencing.
In letter received from the COVER
Tor of Idaho by Chairman Lacey of
he public lands committee, it is stated
hat the people of Idaho Go not look on
easing as good public policy.
II make this statement quite posi-
ive," writes the governor 1T is the
general wish of the people that the
public domain be left free" He said
hat state lands in Idaho have been
eased in tracts of 40 to 160 acres at a
ate which is usually one-tenth of the
appraised value. At present there are
i, 1,377 acres leased. In 1901 the state re-
eived s14oss from this source.
Governor Miguel A. Otero Of New
Iexico, writes the committee that the
eople of his territory are unanimous
gainst lease law unless under the
ontrol of the state or territorial au-
horities. He says the vast sheep in
erests Of New Mexico will not permit a
easing law to be worked successfully
here. There are $4,000 acres of the
erritorial lands at present under lease.
LAST year they yielded revenue of
Al, ,296.90.
II
The following is the text of an amend
nent proposed by Senator Culberson to
he omnibus statehood bill pending In
he United States senate:
Provided, That congress shall for the
urpose of equitable distribution. have
he absolute jurisdiction and control of I
he waters Of the rivers and streams |
owing throughfor from the territory Of
lew Mexico, and necessary for the
urposes of navigation or irrigation,
nd to which waters others have rights
y prior appropriation.
Election in Oregon.