The Washington times., 1902-02-03
Territorial Prospects Grow
DINNER Each Day.
VERY LITTLE PROGRESS MADE
Rush of Measures Would
Prevent Action.
SENATE IN OPPOSITION
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SENATE IN OPPOSITION

There will be no stars placed in Old
Glorys field OF azure blue during this
session of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
Notwithstanding the strenuous efforts
which are being put forth by citizens of
Oklahoma. New Mexico and Arizona to
secure statehood for these Territories
their prospect for entering the sister
hood of States appears to be little or no
brighter than it did six or eight years
ago.
The leaders of the majority party,
especially in the Senate, are not only
abstsining from lending any support to
the statehood movements. but are said
on the contrary to be discouraging the
ambitions of the Territories.
Have "A Poor Chance.
Notwithstanding the fact that dele
cations from Arizona and New Mexico
have been on here already this session to
work in the interests of statehood very
little has yet been accomplished. The
House Committee on Territories has
given several hearings. but it will be
some time before any bills are reported. if
they are reported at all, SO that il
favorable Recommendation is made in
either the case of Arizona or New Mexico
1t will be difficult to get bill through
the House with hundreds of other meas
ures in which members are more inter-
ested demanding attention.
Still. the real difficulty about statehood
for any of the Territories lies In the Sen
ate rather than in the House. bill
might pass the House. but 1t is almost
certain to fail of action at the other end
OF the Capitol.
Hope for Statehood.
Last week the House Committee on Ter
ritories heard Governor Murphy, Of Ari-
zona, and number of others in behalf of
the admission of that Territory. and ever
since the opening of the session Delegates
Smith, of Arizona, and Rodey. have been
particularly active in behalf Of their
respective Territories. Mr.. Flynn is no
less interested in behalf of Oklahoma, and
he feels that II fCongress takes up the mat
ter Oklahoma will be given first attention.
While Governor otero, of New Mexico.
was In Washington recently looking after
his conformation t- .he Senate he endeav-
o-rd 70 e9vnlce the gause of statehood.
but met wila .-ls ea1ouragement. Ex-
Govern Hlll-s ana her influential citi-
-sus Iacigd.Hs er-Ds iegate Catron, have
also been striving he same direction.
Sui 1o-, apparent success.
Basis OF Claims.
1t is pointed out by these advocates OF
statehood that Oklahoma now has a pop
ulation of about 400, 600. New Mexico
about 100000, and Arizona about 125,000.
They then go on to show that since 1895,
when Tennessee. with population of 35,-
691, was admitted, only three States have
been admitted whose population at the
time of admission exceeded 100,00
These were Kansas, 107 900; the Da-
kotas. 195.O00 combined, and Utah. with
207 900. Washington had but about 5000;
Montana. $4,000; Idaho. 81, 900, and Wyom-
ing, &C. 900. when admitted.
AS far back as the Forty-third Congress
an enabling act was passed in regard to
lSew Ne co. 1t went through both
houses. but was amended in the Senate,
and Cor gress adjourned before the bill
came for concurrence in the House.
be .ucceeding Congress a similar bill
laEssl the Senate was favorably report
eL I'D ,e House. but failed to be reached.
Failed in One Branch.
In several Congresses since that time
bills relating to statehood for Arizona
and New Mexico have passed through one
branch Of Congress. but have failed in the
other. Despite renewed efforts this ses-
sion all bills are liable to meet with
similar fate.
The reason is said to be one of politics
rather than population. The Republican
leaders are said TO fear that the admis-
sion Of these Territories would mean six
new Democratic Senators. In the case OF
Arizona. whose Legislature is Democratic,
there is said to be little doubt that