Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-01-30
STAND FOR PROGRESS,
Senators Hansbrough and McCumber Give
Their Reasons for Supporting the
Statehood Bill.
Minneapolis Journal Washington Letter.

Statehood Bill.
Minneapolis Journal Washington Letter.
Speaking about his attitude on the
omnibus bill, Senator Hansbrough
said to me to day: "The people of
the northwest thoroughly understand
why I am in favor Of admitting the
territories as states. 1t 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 for statehood.
That they are fully qualified admits
of no dispute from those who know
the facts. The same things that are
being said against their admission
were said with equal vehemence
against the admission of the two Da-
kotas, Montana and Washington, and
later against Utah I have no doubt
that, if they are admitted, not only
will there be a great wave of prosper
ity in that section within a very few
years, but that they will also be set
tied by the class of people who will
put them in the Republican column.
Senators who advocate the omnibus
bill as it passed the house are ready to
vote at any moment on the question.
They do not want any delay. The
delay comes from the opposition to
the omnibus bill, and we are served
with notice that they desire to dis
cuss the question at great length and
have a dozen OF more speeches in OPP
position to admission. Those who
favor admission are ready to vote now
and are likewise agreeable to taking
up and considering the other great
questions that should be considered
at this session of congress, including
the trust question and the Cuban
reciprocity treaty."
Senator McCumber, when asked re-
garding his position in favor of the
omnibus bill, said: IT favor the ad-
mission of the additional states be-
cause, first, the Republican platform
Of 1900 pledged the party to do so;
second, because our treaty with
Mexico agreed we should admit New
Mexico, and this more than half a
century ago; third, because
these territories have population and
property now sufficient to maintain
without unnecessary taxation, good
state governments; fourth, because
their respective populations and re-
sources are above those of some of the
other states, notably some Of the New
England states; fifth, because their
natural resources and possibilities are
such as to insure states OFFS far greater
Importance than many of the present
states have attained; sixth, because it
is essential to just and equal repre-
%sentation of all sections and industries
of the country that the, section west of
the Mississippi should have a greater
vote in the senate, and that the agri-
cultural and stock-raising populations
should be put on nearer an equal foot
ing with the ssiron, coal and.. manu-
featuring sections Of the east.
"The dilatory method now being
adopted by the minority discloses their
determination to kill time during the
whole session. Notwithstanding i'm.
portant business before congress this
short SESSION, so far the senate has moi
been in session for more than fou1
days in any week, and evening ad
journment have been unusually early,
Speeches against statehood have beer
delivered in sections, a very shor
portion of each day. Now the appo
nents seek further delay by insisting
that the journal, almost UNIVERSAL,
dispensed with, be read in full, a
well as long reports. In many othe
t ways they are causing delay.
"The statehood bill, which is un
4 finished business, must come up eacl
day until disposed of. The plan o
: the minority seems to be to utilize al
possible time not in a legitimat
s effort to convince, but to daily along
d The majority, to allow all measure
proper consideration, are willing tina
Q the vote on this bill be delayed t
: near the close of the session. Mean
4 while, this and every other importan
1 bill can be considered and passed.
"The.. minority seem inclined to de
stroy every purpose of the sessio,
s rather than allow the majority to OK
4 press it's wish by a vote. Upon thi
minority, who are thus blocking legis
lation, must rest the onus if any i'm
portant measure fails of consideration
"When called upon by the commit
tee on order of business for an expires
. sion of opinion as to which bill
should receive preferential considera
ton this session, I headed my lis
with the antitrust bill. There
time to consider this measure legiti