The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-09
OMNIBUS BILL DEBATE
PROPOSITION TO CREATE THREE
NEW STATES DISCUSSED II HOUsE-
Amendment by MIR. overstreet 90 Con-
soIidate Arizona and New Mexico
and Call the state Montexuma.

WASHINGTON. May s-The bill 10 place
three new stars IN the American flag had
the right OF way again to-day in the
House. General debate. the feature OF
which was an extended speech by Mr.
GrOsvenor, OF Ohio. in opposition 10 the
measure, was closed at 3 o'clock. and the
bill was then read for amendment under
the five-minute rule. An amendment oy
Mr.. McRae TO consolidate the Territories
of Oklahoma and Indian Territory was
defeated-57 10 los. An amendment offered
by Mr.. Overstreet. of Indiana. 10 consol-
idate Arizona and New Mexico and admit
them as the State OF Montezuma was pend
ing when the House adjourned. The only
amendment adopted was one providing
that nothing in the act should be construed
TO legalize polygamy. During the day a
resolution expressive Of the regret of the
House over the death Of Rear Admiral
Sampson was adopted and a OF
seven members was appointed TO attend his
funeral.
When the omnibus statehood bill was
taken up Mr.. Grosvenor. Of Ohio. spoke in
opposition TO it. He said the weak point
in the bill was that it was an omnibus
measure. The claims OF each Territory
TO aQTllSSlOns he AEuOOs bAAS0A0 AS ~OL
sidered separately. In effect, he declared,
this was a log-rolling proposition When
the gentleman from Massachusetts. NJ.
Knox. said this was not a political meas
ture, he declared. he was contradieting all
facts OF history. From the time Of the
admission Of Kentucky. he said. political
considerations had governed in the ad-
mission of States. No one. he said. could
| denN that Nevada was admitted y purely
political purposes.
did not the Republican platform Of
1900 declare in favor OF the admission OF
the Territories? p" asked Mr.. stephens, OF
Texas.
Yes" replied Mr.. Grosvenor. but 1
venture TO say that hardly a score of men
on the floor OF the Philadelphia convention
knew that Mr.: ou!gg had smuggled II into
was 1t smuggied into the platform Of
II will come to that responded Mr..
Grosvenor.
for the admission of the Dakotas for the
same reason that the Republicans opposed
because it would strengthen the Repuo-
why does the gentleman assume that
the three Territories would make Demo-
cratic States?' asked Mr.. Thayer.
Are not two of the delegates Repuo-
ncan and would not their admission place
four Republicans in the Senator a.,
The gentleman is a DemoGrat,u re TIc, q
I ~ AAC6N 1AAOAa " ~
Democratic?" CLaughter.l
THE people of the district are pretty
well content" retorted Mr.. Thayer.
Then they are easily satisfied Ike
newed laughter.l Mr.. Grosvenor was Will
ing, he said, to vote for the admission OF
Oklahoma. although she would elect two
Democratic senators and two Democratic
Representatives, but he was not willing 10
admit New Mexico and Arizona, which. he
thought not yet fitted for statehood. III the
pending bill became a law 1t would add six
senator's to a legislative body OF ninety ana
only four representatives TO a ieglslauye
body of 356. Should New Mexico and Ari-
IONA. he asked. be given power In the Sen
ate equal 10 that OF New York and Penn
sylvania?
Mr.. Smith, delegate from Arizona. replied
TO Mr.. Grosvenor, who. he said. preserved
his consistency by being always wrong
Mr.. smith spoke Of the growth and popu-
DpeieSate Flynn, OF Oklahoma. made a
fervid plea for the bill and stimulated at
tention by declaring that the so-ealled
leaders of the House were trying 10 throt-
tie the statehood measure. Amid applause
: Mr.. Flynn asserted that he had 10000 more
/ voters in his district than the gentleman
from Ohio Dfr. Grosvenor) or any or the
other s~o-called House leaders.
MIR. McRae. of Arkansas, tormaIly onered
: and the Indian Territory and admit them
e as the State OF Oklahoma.
Mr.. Lloyd. of Missouri. made the point of
D order that the amendment was not ger
4 name, but the chair overruled Mr.. Lloyd's
1 point OF order.
MIR. Flynn. delegate from Oklahoma, said
D he never would consent 10 the consolida-
Y ton Of the two Territories unless municipal
and school lands were provided for the In
dian Territory, which to-day had not a foot
of public highway, an acre Of school land
and not an acre Of taxable property In an
D area as large as the State Of Indiana The
= McRea amendment was defeated-57 20 1O1.
Mr.. Roberts. Of Massachusetts,, offered an
amendment, which was adopted without di-
vision, providing that nothing In the act
should be construed 10 legalize polygamy.
I Mr.. Overstreet, OF Indiana. offered ar
amendment to consolidate the Territories
of New Mexico and Arizona and admit
{ them as the single State of Montezuma OF
, such other name as might be agreed upon
With this amendment pending. the House
q at sos ID. m. adjourned.