The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-02-24
BLAME RESTS ON.
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Review Of Statehood Stu
atiOn---MinOriy Trying
to Rule
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Omnibus Statehood Bill.

%N~@hN%@NNN-
II. r. 12543-"An act to enable the
people of Oklahoma. Arizona and New
Mexico to form constitutions and state
governments and be admitted into the
Union on an equal footing with the
original states"
Day by day do we see the above
notice head the calendar of business
fo- the senate of the United States,
and day after day the anxiously wait
ing inhabitants of those western ter
ritories wonder and inquire why their
longed for legislation and coveted
privileges are denied them. Il is in
deed a peculiar and almost unprece-
dented state of affairs. We doubt "
there is a similar instance in the leg
islative history of our country We
read the daily papers from all Sec
tions of the country and see the com
plants, the suimises. the indorse-
ments and what not of the way bust
ness is being transacted in the SEN
ate Many of the uninitiated condemn
most strongly the able statesman from
Pennsylvania. Senator Quay, for hold
ing so tight a rein. People with pri-
vate bills, land claims, pension claims,
bills to grant privileges TO the multi
tude or the individual. all are squirm-
ing ara scolding, interviewing sena-
tors and everyone v o has any lnowl-
edge of how matte.s are conducted in
that august body. to NOW how they
can get their various matters up for
consideration, and to their intense dis
gust always receive the same answer,
Nothing can be done until the state
hood bill is out of the way"
II may be interesting to many to
know few of the ins and outs of this
matter, and realizing this we venture
to give brief outline Of the affair.
Almost a year ago during the first
session of the present congress. the
house passed what is now known as
the omnibus statehood bill, which was
for the purpose, as stated at the head
of this article. Of enabling the people
of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizo-
no to form constitutions and state
governments, and admitting them in
TO the Union The bin. after passing
the house. went to the senate. and
much to the disappointment of the
people of the territories interested.
and the friends of the measure in con-
gress, II remained in the committee
on territories (to which 1t had been
referred) until almost the end OF the
session. After patiently waiting for
the bill to be reported. Senator Quay.
who is a member Of the committee.
notified the senate thatsh he would move
that the committee be discharged un-
less the statehood bill was reported,
and as It was well known that a ma
Jority of the senate held the same
view of the matter. and that such a
motion would carry. the chairman of
the committee. Senator Beveridge,
promised the report should be made
not later than the third day of athe
present, or second, session. The prom
ised report was made and was adverse.
Mr.. Quay also made a report on the
measure. II was also agreed that the
bill should be made the unfinished
business on December 10 and so re
main until disposed Of That was the
beginning Of what has become one OF
the most unheard of and peculiar con
ditions which has ever existed in the
United States senate. and probably
in any legislative body.
It is a well known fact that the bill
has majority of ten OF twelve, bus,
nevertheless, the minority are work
ing with might and main, day aftes
day, to prevent a vote being taken
Statesmen, old and young, from east
and west, rise and talk and talk, sup.
posedly with the hope that they will
gain majority. but the days go by
and Senator Quay still holds his ma
jority and asks that vote be taken
Trust legislation, reciprocity treaties
private bills. and measures important
and the reverse. in dignifed silence
take back seat and wait on the
statehood bill One would have sup
posed that long ere this it would have
been talked to death. but from pres
ent prospects it viii likely be the eun
saished business" when the 4th OF
1arch rolls around
II the opponents of the bill con
tlnue TO use the tactics which have al