Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-12
FEARS COLOMBIAN WAR
Senator Morgan Thinks Canal Treaty Will
PreCipitats Religious Strife.
COMMERCE BILL FINALLY DISPOSED OF
Report Il Adopted and
Measure VIII Now Go 90 Presi-
dent for His Signature
and Approval.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-Mr. Hanna
co., today called up the conference report
on the department Of commerce bill, which
was agreed to without debate.
Mr.. Morgan (Ala.) almost Immediately
after the opening of the session resumed
his remarks on the statehood bill, but
branched OF to discuss the proposed treaty
with Colombia. He referred to the con-
cordat Of Pope Leo TX, which constituted a
part Of the organic law OF Colombia, and
said tha. the United States intended 70
put the heel of ignsminious contempt upon
it. He predicted a return of hostilities
between the old church party in Colombia
and the liberal party.
Mr.. Depew IN. " spoke in opposition
to the statehood bill. but cid not conclude.
Gives Alaska Homestead Law.
A house bill WAS passed extending the
homestead laws to Alaska.
The statehood bill was then taken up
and Mr. Morgan resumed his remarks in
its favor.
Taking up Mormon influence in politics,
he referred to the election Of Mr.. Smoot
as senator from Utah, and said he would
never think OF opposing his entry to the
senate because he was an apostle Of the
Mormon church, because religion was in
tended to be free and intended to be pro-
tecteC.
Reverting to the treaty with Colombia,
he said the United States intended to put
the stamp of ignominious contempt on the
organic law of Colombia with respect to
religious freedom and trample 1t under
| foot.
I'VE are treating with those people," he
said, with the intent and purpose of de-
stroying that law OF else under such cir
cumstances as to disgrace the United
| States"
He asked who was to reconcile the two
propositions when the Colombians con-
/ tended for their organic religious law and
the United States for its own constitution
and who would prevent a return to hostili-
( ties, now apparently closed between the
ll-church party, who maintained those
| dogmas, and the liberal party, who had
been fighting them in every country
Depew Opposes Statehood.
Mr.. Depew followed in opposition to tht
omnibus statehood bill.
| After speaking a short time Mr.. Depew
| yielded to Mr. Hanna, who called UP the
conference report on the department Of
| commerce introduced yesterday, and 1t was
agreed to. This passed the bill, which nov
goes to the president.
! Mr.. Depew, continuing, said the head o.
the Mormon church was ia a position tC
say to the leaders OF both political par
| ties:
I what Will you do to protect Mormon
ISM"
II there was any fallibility in the world
he said, It was the judgment at election
time Of the political leader of any party
eff that is true" interrupted Mr.. Pat
terson (Colo.), why did the republican
party two years ago make a greater BIZ
for the Mormon vote than the democrat
did,"
Mr.. Depew explained that both partie
made every possible bid. but the democrat
trusted the republicans. He charged tn
anti-polygamy section Of the statehoo
bill as a sham and said there had been n
proposition from the democratic side 4
strengthen It.
Mr.. Teller (Colo.) said that II a da
were set for a vote the democrats woul
Join in strengthening the provision re
ferred to.
Mr.. Depew had not concluded when, a
41O, the senate went into executive ses
sion, and at 4:55 adjourned.