The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-25
STATEHOOD BILL NOW
SEEMS 10 BE DOOMED
ny Associated Press.

u y 3 .
sts WASHINGTON, y. c.. February a.
y The Democratic senatorial caucus To-Day
rejected the two proposition for the al al
mission OF new States. submitted pv Ing
H Republicans. The matter OF further ne
II Rotiations was left with the Democratic
p members of the Committee on Post"f-
fees Which has charge Of the arpro-
Il priation bill With the statehood rider.
II Senator Blackburn was Authorized 70
bring UP the Littlefie.d antitrust blll anu
b at least to obtain vote on the question
fits consideration.
Speeches were mad BY Senators Clay,
Bacon. Teller. Dubois. Simmons. Foster
81 (of Louisiana). Bate. Morgan. Pettus and
4 grounds against the compromise pfopo'
II siton and several Of them spoke EN-
phatically against the proposition to
& put the statehood bill on any Of the ap-
4 preparation bills as a rider. They at the
same time stated that they had no In.
ltentlon Of casting any reflection upon the
n statehood supporters OH the Committee
i on Postoffces and Agriculture. and they
favored placing the matter Of deteru,ln
Ing the future course Of the party with
G reference to the bills az such and
as a rider In the hands Of the Democrat c
Y members Of the Committee on Poslor-
X fees. @ 4, 4 VI 81 MI ~
After the adjournment OF tile caucus
{8the Democratic members Of the Commit
tee on PostoffiCes met the Republic n
mmbers of that committee who have been
x friendly to statehood They decided to
Il ask the chairman of the Committees on
Fostoffices and Agriculture to withdraw
4 the statehood riders which the COM
mittees have placed on two appropriation
bills. They also decided to continue the
fight for the omnibus bill as It came from
the House without amendment. but not
+ to antagonize appropriation bills or ex-
. ecutlve business With It,
The Republicans have decided to prosen,
their compromise bill to the Senate
The indications are very s,rUIg that
the question will receive va.y little Il
+ any more consideration during the SEES.
\ sion, and even the best friends Of state.
hood generally admit that there Is nc
chance Tor success at this time.
Democratic Senator, who is mem
sihel OF the Committee OH Territories, upol
being asked for a statement Of the rea
sons for rejecting the compromise propo
S#sition, wrote the following. which, afte
& submitting TO several OF his colleagues
he gave out for publications:
The Democratic caucus rejected tn,
proposed compromise statehood bill TO-
4 the following reasons: Wien Arizona an,
a New Mexico We're made Territories thei
areas were established for ultimate state
Lood purposes, and all The interests ant
& tons Of the people Of the tw,
& territories have been In anticipation O
4 tn, 1.-TWO States.
lt would be gross injustice to tn,
people OF both to join them In one Stat
saIrom east 10 west, as railroads must bt
&cu!it, Il would be LOO miles across them
z Ahe{ proposed State would be as large a.
and Texas is too large for its con
venient government
Many Democrats feel that the Repub
liran hight for statehood has .not beer
sincere, they having used the statehood
Dlii as buffer to prevent trust discussion
4 and legislation For Democrats now, llav
4 I'M; stood almost solid bouy for the ad
MISSION OF the three territories, TO &C
cept the proposed consolidation would bt
to have played into the hands Of the Re
publican antitrust cabal."