The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-23
STATEHOOD
AS A SHIELD.
Some Of Quay's Supporters Are Not
at Heart in Favor Of the
Bill.
They Are Using It to Prevent Ac-
ton on Cuban Reciprocity and
Trust Legislation.
Senators Hansbrough and McCum.
/ Der Explain Why They Fa-
- vor Omnibus Bill. =. -.

From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build.
ing, Washington.
WASHINGTON, JAM 23-The impression
is growing here that the strong position
occupied by Senator Quay in the state
hood fight is due to combination of cir
cumstances, rather than to genuine de-
sire on the part of the majority Of his
supporters to bring the omnibus bill to q
vote. Included among the senators who
view the present situation with compla-
,cency especially as 1t does not 1eopardize
the appropriation bills or entail any per-
sonal hardship in the way Of night ses-
sons are those who are opposed at
heart to reciprocity with Cuba, those who
want no action on the immigration bill
and those who are antagon1zlng the pro-
posed eight-hour legislation. The onni-
bus statehood measure thus provides
comfortable shield No one entertains q
doubt as to Senator Quay's determination
to win, but the various interests involved
are believed to have been instrumental IN
shaping the course Of some Of the other
senator's
There is seeming Indifference to the
fate Of the Cuban treaty. Senator Lodge
is 7ealously pressing 1t, but its support
otherwise is perfunotory In a noticeable
degree. There are senators. too, who see
no pressing necessity Of taking up the
trust question at this time.
Ten Are Not Enthusiasts.
There are perhaps ten republican SEN
ators who will not vote against the Cuban
treaty, but who are not enthusiastic about
Its ratification Senator Hoar Of Massa-
chusetts, is generally opposed to reciproc-
fly treaties because he regards them as
unconstitutional, but he will not vote
against the Cuban treaty because he re-
CARDS 1t as a possible good solution Of the
matter. One far western republican sem
ator is in favor of neither the statehood
bill nor the treaty, but will support both
In order to keep back legislation which he
opposes.
These predatory remarks are not in
tended to apply to the senators from
North Dakota, both Of whom are In the
Quay camp. 1t is assumed here that
In the interviews which follow are sincere.
Neither is suspected of fitting into the
classes described above. The prelinni-
nary statement is made, however, in or
der to explain why it is that Quay has so
strong following in other quarters.
Senator hansbrough's Position.
Speaking about his attitude on the ON :
nibus bill, Senator Hansbrough said to me
to-day: THE people Of the northwest
thoroughly understand why am in favor
Of admitting the territories as states. II
is not SO much a political question as it is
a question Of right. I have made it my
business to know something about the
qualifications of. Oklahoma. New Mexico
and Arizona for5statehood. That they are
fully qualified admits -of> no dispute from
those who know the facts. The same
things that are being said against thei
admission were said with equal vehemenc,
against the admission of the two Dakotas
Montana and Washington and late
against Wyoming and Idaho. and still
later against Utah. I have no doubt that
if they are admitted. not only will Their
be great wave of prosperity in that sec
ton within a very few years, but that the,
will also be settled by the class of peopl
who will put them in the republican col
umn. Senators who advocate the omni
bus bill as it passed the house are read.
to vote at any moment on the question
They do not want any delay. The della.
comes from the opposition to the Omnibus
bill, and we are served with notice tina
they desire ito discuss the question a
great length and have dozen or NOR
speeches in opposition to admission Thos
who favor admission are ready to vot
now and are likewise agreeable to taking
up and considering the other great cues
tions that should be considered at thi
session of congress, including the trus
question and the Cuban reciprocit
treaty"
Senator McCumber Is Emphatic.
Senator ,McCumber, when asked regard
ing his position in favor of the omnibu
bill, said: Il favor the admission Of tn
additional states because first the repub
1ican platform Of 1900 pledged the party t
do so;- second, because our treaty wit
Mexico agreed we should admit New Mex
ico and this more than half centur
ago; third. because these territories hav
populations and property now sufficier
to maintain without unnecessary taxatio
good state governments; fourth, becaus
their respective populations and resource
are above those Of some of the othe
states, notably some Of the New Englan
states; fifth, because their natural re
sources and possibilities are such as to II
sure states Of far greater Importance tina
many Of the present states have attained
sixth, because it is essential to just ar
equal representation Of all sections ar
industries of the country that the sectfe
west of the Mississippi should have
greater vote in the senate, and that tt