The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-25
DEMOCRATS REjEG!
PROPOSITION ON
STATEHOOD
Consider Repub-
lican Scheme a Snare
Careful Statement of the
Democratic Attitude-No
Territories Will Be Ad-
mitted This Session.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. "a
The Democratic senatorial caucus to-
day rejected the two-state proposition
for the admission of new states, sub
mitted by the Republicans. The mat
ter of further negotiations was left
with the Democratic members of the
committee on postoffices, which has
charge of the appropriation bill With
the statehood rider. 1t has been agreed,
however, to withdraw the rider. The
Democrats will not accept anything
on a basis of two states.
All the speakers in the caucus took
positive grounds against the cOmpro-
mise proposition and several of them
spoke emphatically against the propo
sition to put the statehood bill on any
Of the appropriation bills as a rider.
At the same time, they favored plac-
ing the future course Of the party in
reference to the bill as such and also
rider in the hands Of the Democratic
members Of the committee on post
offices.
Democratic Position Stated.
A Democratic senator who is a mem
Der of the committee on territories
gave out the following for publication:
The Democratic caucus rejected. the
proposed compromise statehood bill for
the following reasons: When Arizona
and New Mexico were made territories
their institutions were established for
ultimate statehood purposes. and the
expectations Of the people have been
to that end ever since. 1T would be
unjust to discriminate.
THE proposed state would be as
large as Texas, and Texas is too large
for convenient government. The Re-
pubiicans' fight for statehood has not
been sincere, they having used state
n
legislation. For Democrats who have
stood almost solid body for the ad-
mission Of the three territories to ac-
cept the proposed compromise would
be to play into the hands of the Re-
publican cabal. The people Of Arizona
are opposed to consolidation with New
Mexico.
II Is Snare.
THE provisions in the consolidation
Dill for ultimate separate statehood
are snare. The question of separa-
ton into two states must be submit
ted to the voters Of the entire state
ana experience has taught that after
the interests Of any area have been
consolidated as a single state a ma
Jority cannot be secured.
The Democrats have stood for the
statehood bill as it passed the house.
They believe that each is entitled to
by the Republican minority in their eff
forts to give them statehood, but they
VIII not inf1ict the injustice that prob
ABLY never can be repaired of forcing
the people Of the two territories into
state so large that it would forever
continue burden they should not
bear"
After the adjournment of the caucus
the Democratic members Of the COM
m1ttee on postoff1ces met the Republic
an members Of that committee who
have been friendly to statehood. They
decided to continue the fight for the
omnibus bill as 1t came from the house,
without amendment, but not to antago-
nlze appropriation bills or executive
business with it.
The Republicans have decided to pre-
sent their compromise bill to the SEN
ate. The indications are very strong
that the question will receive very little
II any modification during the session.
and even the best friends of statehood
generally admit that there is no chance
for success at this time.