Arizona republican., 1902-05-14

= s BEVERIDGE the hands of one man AND the Hon Albert j. STATEHOOD Beveridge. T. II | Q q
 States senator from the state of Indiana. Senator Beve- ridge, by virtue of his position as chair man cf the senate committee on terri tories, has the power to create three new states, and to add three more stars to the flag. For him it is both great responsibility and a great privilege. The senator's friends in Arizona Ire confident that he will accept the re- sponsibility gladly and appreciate he privilege.
 The powers of a chairman of a sen ate committee are far-reaching. AL most invariably he can secure a favor able report on q measure if he makes the proper effort in that direction, and armed with a favoTa ble report, lie can make the passage of q r3eritorious bill substantially certain. And in regard to the omnibus statehood bill. Chairman Beveridge is peculiarly well situated to control it's fate. It may be safely taken for granted that if the bill is brought to a vote there will be a large majority in the senate in it's favor. It is true, probably. that not & few senators would be glad to dodge the issue, and would be glad to see the matter smoth- cred in committee. But when the time arrives for going on record, the history of the bill in the house will be repeat ed. The opposition will be so insignifi- cant as not to be worth counting. The reason for this is that there is not single valid argument against grant ing self government to the three terri tories now knocking for admission in to the union. All senators recognize this. Moreover, they know that it is a most unpopular position to be in op- position to the creation of new states when the merits are all on the side of the applicants. But aside from this lodging element, which is found in every legislative body there is good reason to believe that a safe majority
 
 espouse the cause O. statehood. The statesmen in the senate recognize that the task of working out the problem of government for the insular possessions will be simpIified ii the question is lot complicated by the necessity of con- sidering the bearing on the territories of the colonial legislation. Hence their desire to terminate the territorial form Of government at home In addition to these reasons are the unanswera ble ar guments in favor of granting to the people of the territories the rights which belong to them. Therefore, it is a sound assumption to say that a majority in the senate will be affirma- lively on the side of statehood. To this ma ajority will be added the temporizing i senators already alluded to. Accord i ingly. it is simply a question of getting a favorable report on the bill from the 1 committee on territories, and a vigor- ous championship from the committee l chairman--a determination on the part of Senator Beveridge to press the bill at every opportunity and bring it to a vote at the earliest possible day. And | Senator Beveridge is no 'dodger.'' We believe that he can be relied upon to do his great duty in this all-importan nt legislation, without any desire to shirk The senator has shown himself a statesman of the first rank. Yet a very young man-he will not be 70 years of age until the 9th day of next October-he has taken a high place among the ablest men in the senate, and there is no member Of that body whose future is SO full of promise The broad statesma nship he has already cx- hibited in the senate's dealing with the problems of the day. and his quick in tellectual grasp of question which come before him, have led ti:e people of the three territories to assume, as mat ter of course. that he will be their champion in the senate.