The St. Louis Republic., 1903-01-30
Statehood Opposition May Have to
Depend on House to Defeat
Amendment.
LATTER PASSED ORIGINAL BILL.
Inconsistency Has Marked Entire
Course Of Republican Leaders
in Both Branches in This
Engrossing Fight.
Tho Republic Bureau.

i 1sth ST. ana Pen0SylSanla AVO
Washington. Jan. 29-The Republicans are
having an inter-party fight to a finish over
the omnibus statehood bill. Quay and the
statehood men claim they will force VIC
tory. while the opposition say there will be
no statehood, even II an extra session OF
| Congress should result.
The latter threat Is from old Republican
Senators who are in the habit Of having
| their way and who are trusted with steer
Ing important legislation. They include
| such men as Aldrich. Platt of Connecticut,
Allison of Iowa and Hale of Maine.
These men. and others with them. have
pondered the matter carefully and have de-
| cfded that come what will there will be no
statehood. They have issued their mandate
! and are securing recruits from some Sena-
| tors. who. until this time. would have voted
| for the omnibus statehood bill had 1t
come to vote.
The hitter fight now on has produced a
good deal OF soreness among Republican
senators and Quay's influence in party coun-
ellis has been hurt by his strong opposition
to the will of the small minority. who arc
entrusted with almost arbitrary power in
steering" legislation.
The action of the Republican party on this
question is almost astounding. The omni-
bus bill orisinated in the House. and was
reported favorably by the committee. On
the floor it was opposed by nearly every Re
publican of influence. The Republican party
ia dI OIL IT'S conventions or recent years,
had promised statehood for Arizona and
New Mexico. and since the organization Of
Oklahoma. had pledged statehood for that
Territory also.
When the bill came before the House.
such Republican leaders as Grosvenor of
Ohio fought 1t bitterly. It's only champion
on that side was Knox OF Massachusetts,.
chairman of the Committee on Territories
when vote was taken In the House, there
was no division. the bill being sent to the
Senate under an admitted understanding
and agreement that the Republicans of that
body would give IT its quietus
IhlS compact now is to be carried out by
the men who dominate the Senate.
Quay's action in having the statehood bill
put put, on as an amendment to the sundry
civil Appropriation bill was adroit and
somewhat bothers the opposition, but it
promises to avail little. II this amendment
rs not voted down the Republican managers
say II Will be nonconcurred in when the bill
goes to conference. It would be inconsistent
Ior the House to refuse to concur in state
nood as an amendment. after the omnibus
would De no more remarkable than the entire
course OF the Republicans in this matter.
Prominent senatorial callers at the White
mouse to-day were confident that fhere
Wouid pc an extra session of Congress-
snouid Senator Quay succeed in keeping the
ombnibus statehood bill tackled onto either
fastened it. Ae las
Ihe antistatehood Senators feel that ,f An
extra session should be forced It would ha
practically limited to approximation Kills
Inc statehood bill would die with this ses.
son OF this Congress, and with a new CON.
siess "oulo nave to pass the House again,
rare Reductions ON Leather Goods.