Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-04
MORE NEGOTIATIONS
STATEHOOD FIGHT NOW DIvID-
ING ON PARTY LINES.
Democrats Don't Relish Being Dropped
by Experimentation Of Ari-
IONA and New Mexico.

Negotiations looking to. possible COM
promise Of the statehood fight continued
today on the general basis outlined In The
Star yesterday. Several knotty problems
stin have 70 be solved, but the republican
managers believe that by the end of this
week definite progress may be made 20
ward clearing the legislative situation in
the Senate.
The fight now seems to be dividing some
what on party lines. Senator Quay hav-
ing utilized the democratic forces as long
as their assistance was necessary, now
manifests disposition to attempt to hat
monize the republican factions and do bust.
ness without the democrats. Naturally
democrats over the possibility of being
Unceremoniously dumped by the statehood
leader, and there Is considerable friction
In consequence.
Consolidation Plan.
The proposed compromise of admitting
Arizona and New Mexico as one state, aon-
templated from the democratic viewpoint,
presents advantages all in favor Of the re-
publicans, with no compensatory features
for the democrats. If Arizona and New
Mexico should be admitted as one state,
the republican majority in New Mexico
would outnumber the democratic strength
In Arizona, and the state would be repub-
lfcan. Senator Quay and his colleagues,
therefore, it is pointed out by the demo-
Gratis, would gain two republican senators
and would secure the commercial benefits
which are sought through statehood, that
Is, the Strengthening Of the financial credit
of the new community, and greater security
for bond issues. Senator Quay and hts fol-
lowers. therefore, would get everything
that they are fighting for and the demo-
Gratis. to use the phrase of western sena-
tor, would hold the bag.
The republican majority in the Senate are
not altogether averse to q compromise
along these lines. They see that by offer
ing such a compromise they go on record
as being willing to do something for the
clamorous territories. II the democrats
should refuse to compromise and all state
hood legislation should fail, there would
not be very poignant grief among the ma
Jority of the republicans and at the same
time the onus of failure would be placed
upon the democrats.
Negotiations by Quay.
Thus far the negotiations for compromise
have been conducted mainly by Senator
Quay and his immediate followers, who
have initiated the movement, and the re-
publican majority in the Senate has indi-
Gated Willingness to take the question
under consideration. The democratic sena-
tors who are interested in statehood were
very much drritated today over the status
OF affairs, realizing that the republicans oc-
cupied a position of political advantage
which in the last resort threatened to de-
feat statehood and put the blame for defeat
on the democrats. who are most anxious
for statehood for the three territories
There were frequent conferences during
the day among the different factions who
are parties to the fight. 1t is realized that
the existing situation cannot be permitted
70 continue, and it is thought that some
thing practicable will be worked out in a
short time.