The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-08
THE BATTLE FOR STATEHOOD.
Enemies Of the Bill Light up the Norman Bug
aboo With Birthstone.
(By the Associated Press. !

(By the Associated Press
Washington, d. c., Feb. THE State
hood Bill again today claimed the greater
part of the Senate's attention. Mr. Kean
continued but did not conclude his speecb
| on that subject and towards the close
of the day there was a general debate on
| the allegation OF the opposition to the
bill that it does not contain sufficient
safeguards against polygamy. large
number of bills to which there was no
objection were passed during the day.
Mr. Morgan again called up his reso-
luton requiring the Secretary of the
| Navy to forward papers on file in his
department concerning the movements
and correspondence of naval officers in
Colombian waters during the past year,
but was informed that the resolution had
gone to the calendar under the rules. He
claimed that Notwithstanding the rule
the resolution is before the Senate and
he pleaded for a vote upon it, saying
that he wanted the information asked
for and that the world wanted it, whether
the Senate wanted it or not.
He claimed that undue pressure had
been used in disposing of the resolu-
tion.
By unanimous consent the resolution
was taken up and vote was taken on
Mr.. Hale's motion to refer to the Conn
mittee on Naval Affairs. The motion
prevailed by strict party vote of 81
to Is. The resolution was therefore re-
ferred. and when Mr.. Morgan complained
that it would not be acted upon by the
committee, Mr.. Hale replied that it would
not be favorably reported in its pres
ent form with his consent
In the course of his remarks. Mr..
/ Kean read from a book of travel by
German author to show that polygamy
now exists in the Mormon church in the
Republic of Mexico and the fact was
commented upon by Messrs Beveridge,
Spooner and Depew as going to show that
the contention that polygamy had been
| abolised Is not we'll founded. Mr..
Spooner asked Mr.. Rawlins whet.er the
revelation for abolition had covered
Mexico.
Mr.. Rawlins referred him to the docu-
ments saying he did not care to put
any construction upon them, but Mr..
Hoar remarked that possibly the reve-
lator had not been able to speak Span
ish"
Mr.. Rawlins added later that as he
recalled President Shows proclamation
forbidding polygamy it had covered
Mormon church throughout the world
Mr.. Depew read the proclamation to
, show that polygamy had only been "sus-
pended" and not prohibited. He thought
another relation from the Mormon church
should be forthcoming.
IF the Senator wants an authorita-
tive statement in the Senate he may
have all his doubts removed next ses-
sion when the new Senator from Utah
takes his seat" remarked Mr.. Bacon.
THAT" replied Mr.. Depew, sis the only
argument that l have heard for the ad-
mission of Mormon to Senate"
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion that
Notwithstanding the declaration of the
book quoted. polygamy does not exist
among the Mormons in Mexico. He did
not believe the people or the priests Of
/ that country would tolerate the practice.
He added that it was his conviction that
the question of polygamy is entirely for
eign to the subject of Statehood He went
on to say that the question was a mere
/ bugaboo which had been brought in only
, for the purpose of delay.
Mr.. Spooner took issue with the last
statement and urged the importance of
the subject with me it is no trifing
matter" No mere question of delay and
when we are told here that the Mormon
church controls elections in State now
in the United States; | think we must
admit that State was not prepared for
admission"
He meant to refer to the matter in the
future and he hoped that he would not
be charged with flibustering
Replying, Mr.. Teller contended that
the few Mormons in Arizona would not
be capable of controlling elections here.
SO small a consideration should not, he
contended, stand in the way of a promise
made in the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidal-
60 to admit as States the territory ac-
quired from Mexico
Mr.. Spooner said that, long as the bill
had been pending, Mr.. Teller was tho
first to break silence on the Demo-
cratic side of the chamber
Replying, Mr.. Teller said the reason
why the Democrats had not spoken was
found in the fact that they did not want
to assist in the delay which he believed.
had been pre- concerted, pre-arranged
and studiously followed" by what he be-
lieved to be the minority in the Senate.
The Senate then went into executive
session and later adjourned.