Evening star., 1902-05-08
Discussion Resumed in the
House
ON THE OMNIBUS BILL
MR.. GRoSVENoR BELIEVES PROP
oSITIoNS SHOULD BE SEPARATED
Political Aspect of Admission of Terri
tories-Senator Burton Takes Up
the Philippine Debate.

At the opening of the session of the
House today the Speaker announced the
appointment Of Mr.. Gillett CMass) as a
member of the committee on appropria-
tions to fill the vacancy caused by the re-
tirement Of Secretary of the Navy Moody.
without preliminary business the House
then proceeded with the consideration of
the omnibus statehood bill under an agree
nent that general debate should close to-
day at ) o'clock.
Mr. Moon CTenn), the ranking minority
member of the committee on territories
the first speaker today. earnestly urged the
passage of the bal, arguing that the admis-
sion of the three territories to statehood
would be only act of simple justice to
the people residing therein. The constitu-
tional right of admission, he cOntended, ex-
listed in each case
Mr.. Grosvenor Opposed.
Mr.. GrosvenOr COhio) spoke in opposition
to the measure. He said the weak point i'll
the bill was that it was an omnibus meas
Lre- The claims of each territory to ad-
mission. he argued, should be considered
separately In effect. he declared. this was
og-roiiing proposition. When the gentle
man from Massachusetts (Mr. KNOB said
this was not a political measure he de-
cldred he was contradiCtng all the facts
of history. From the time of the adrns-
sion of Kentucky. he said. political consid-
Grafton had governed in the admission of
states No one, he said. could deny that
Nevada was admitted for purely political
purposes.
Did not the republican platform of 1900
declare in favor of the admission of the
territories" asked Mr.. Stephens CTex)
Yes. replied Mr.. Grosvenor but VEN
ture to say that hardly a score of men on
the floor of the Philadelphia convention
knew that Mr. Qugg had smuggled it into
the platform"
Was it smuggled into the platform of
1852" asked Mr.. Knox.
II Will come to that" responded Mr.
Grosvenor
Mr.. Grosyenor avowed that he had voted
for the admission of the Dakotas for the
same reason that the democrats had op-.
posed it-becauSe it would strengthen the
republican party.
Did not the democrats support the ad-
mission of Dakota but oppose it's division
into two states?'' asked Mr.. Lloyd CMo.).
In reply Mr.. Grosvenor quoted from the
speeches of democrats made al the time to
show that the democrats had opposed the
admission OF the Dakotas.
Why does the gentleman assume that
the three territories would make demo-
cratic states?' asked Mr.. Thayer CMass).
Are not two of the three delegates re-
publican. and would not their admission
place four republicans in the Senator
The gentleman is a democrat" replied
Mr.. Girosvenor. Does he say his district is
Democratic" UaughterD
The people of the district are pretty
we'll content" retorted Mr.. Thayer.
Then they are easily satisfied" Renew
ed laughter)
He was willing. he said. to vote for the
admission of Oklahoma. although he
thought she would elect two democratic
senator's and TWO democratic representa-
tives, but he was not willing to admit New
Mexico and Arizona. which, he tho ught. not
yet fitted for statehood If the pending
bill became law il would add six senator's
to. legislative body of ninety and only
four representatives to legislative body
or S'6- Should New Mexico and Arizona
he asked. be given power IN the Senate
equal 10 that Of New York and Pennsyl-
wanda?
Mr. Smith Replies.
Mr. Smith. delegate from Arizona. re-
piled TO Mr. GrOsvenor, who, he said pre-
served his consistency by being always
wrong" Mr.. Smith spoke of the growth
and population Of the territory.