New-York tribune., 1903-01-28
STATEHOOD CRISIS NEAR.
QUAY FORCES FIGHTING
Bird S. Coler.'s Firm SAID TO Hold
-3111ORa Bonds.
tRT TELEGRAPH TO ruE rRrBrNE.l


Washington, Jan. 2T.-Bitterness and hunor
alterna'ed in the Statehood debate which occu-
pied the entire session of the Senate to-day
a session which only brought to close by
the attempt Of Senator Nelson at 6 n m TO
read Senator Quay's famous tariff speech. The
sensation Of the day was precipitated by Sena-
for Lodge, who, in brief statement the
Pima County bond case disclosed the interest
therein Of Bird :. Celer. to the CONSERVATION of
Democrats and the Republican advocates of
Statehood. The charge was made that the hold
eTs Of the bonds OF Pima County. Ariz.. had de-
termined that Arizona should not be admitted
20 Statehood until provision had been made for
reoeer1lng these securities. which. TO the amount
Of 100000. were held by New-York capitalists
long discussion. in which Senators Piatt of
Connecticut; Rawlins. Foraker, Aldrich and
others took part. followed. Finally, Senator
Lodge secured the floor. and in a brief state
-nent outlined the history of the bonds and
legislation affecting them. Mr.. Lodge said that
not until to-day had he known who was the
owner Of the bonds in question. 1T now ap-
pears, he said, that they belong TO firm of
which the Hon Bird :. Coier, of New-York is
the head. 1t is true that Mr.. Coler was the
Democratic candidate for Governor in the late
election in New-York. That may have been his
misfortune, but il should not exclude him from
the endowment Of his rights as an American citi-
zen. nor relieve the Territory from the payment
Of its Just debts" He said he was pleased that
the question had been brought up because
It throws strong, if not pleasing light upon
The character of the people affected" Mr.
Lodges statement produced a decided sensation
Mr.. Foraker said that the proceeds arising
from the sale Of the bonds had been pocketed
hY a lot Of thieves and scoundrels.'' and he de-
clared that the legislation by Congress placing
the responsibility for the county Indebtedness
on the Territory had been induced by the bond
holders No wonder, he said the people OF the
Territory wish 10 escape from outside super
vision. Mr.. Foraker said the bonds referred to
were originally issued by Pima County and were
declared fraudulent and illegal by the United
states Supreme Court. Afterward there had
heeH legislation by Congress making the debt
ralid against the Territory as a whole and
the courts had held the bonds to be binding
Mr. Fiajt. Of Connecticut. spoke of a report
that Arizona is seeking to repudiate some OF its
bonds and said that if this were true the fact
would prove insuperable objection 10 the bill
from his point of view.
As the day went on If became known that
Senator Quay had informed his supporters that
he would attempt to hold the Senate in
tinuous session. Late in the afternoon Senator
Scott moved an executive session. and Mr. Quay
raised the point Of quorum. A call of the
Senate quickly filed the chamber. and Mr Quay
demanded the ayes and noes, bat Senator Scott
Withdrew his motion.
Senator Beveridge, anticipating Mr. Quays
intention Of holding the Senate in continuous
session, gave notice that if the Senate was
forced to remain in session at unusual and for
l,rotracted hours ell possible obstructive meas
ures would be used, such demanding a
quorum every fi1e minutes Senators Lodge and
hale made conciiatory, semi-humorous speeches
which we're met by Mr.. Quay with request
Tor an assurance that the Statehood bill would
be permitted TO come 10 vote February Ia,
and finally On any day before March t. Secur-
ing nc agreement, Senator Quay called for the
ayes and noes on Mr.. Hales motion TO adjourn
J he vote resulted in Il ayes, % noes ard
Tairs. showing d majority of l. for Statehood
as against 10 on the first test vote.
Senator Nelson then began the reading OF
Senator Quay's tariff speech, when Senator
Scott renewed mis- motion for an executive ses-
sion the rollcall revealing the absence of a
quorum. Mr.. Quay then gave notice that he
would insist in 4 continuous session tomorrow,
and moved adjournment
The belief is expressed this evening that the
present state Of blockade cannot last much
longer. and that q crisis is rapidly approach
ing.
The prediction Of an extra session of the Sen
ate for the ratification of the three treaties
recently negotiated revived again to-day,
but il is not generally believed that the Quay
forces can hold out much longer