New-York tribune., 1903-02-05
ENDS STATEHOOD FIGHT.
COMPROMISE ARRANGED.
Ouay Consents to admission of I5co
NezC States.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO The rR1pUSE.l ]

Washington Feb 4-Senators AIdrich, Hale,
Lodge and Quay have held a long and amicapie
conference on the Statehood situation, ana the
compromise predicted in The Tribune yesterday
is now regarded certain. After the CONFER
ence the leaders on both sides said that no
proposition had been made or received ana the
statement was doubtless correct as the astute
statesmen who took part in the conference are
not in the habit of following that method OF
negotiation 1t may safely be said that no
nronosition will actually be made until the whole
situation has been canvassed and compromise
determined upon which will not be rejected.
The terms of the compromise discussed pro-
vided for the immediate ADMISSION Oh TWO
States-Oklahoma and a State to be composed
cf Arizona and New-Mexico. This, however
was not until Mr.. Quay had ascertained that
there was no chance for the ADMISSION OF
tbrea Territories as separate States. He then
sounded his opponents on their attitude to"aro
a provision which would afford superficial vic
tory to the Statehood forces and, he hoped
would placate the Democrats. This provision
was to take the form of authorizing the Presi-
dent TO permit by proclamation, the separa-
tion of Arizona from New Mexico, the former
TO become a. separate State when she should
have fulfilled certain prescribed conditions
notably to have acquired population OF To-
600 This, It was said. would fulfil the condl-
+io1s held TO be essential to Statehood by the
onnonents of the Omnibus BILL would be ap-
proved by the Democrats and would provide an
incentive for the rapid development of Arizona
The suggestion was not. howe''er. received with
favor. At this point the conference ended, TO
he resumed again at a later date. The fact
that only the leaders of the Senate took part
- tho conference. and that neither Senator
Beyeridge nor any of Mr. Quay's lieutenants
were invited to be present is regarded as add
ing 10 its Importance and augurins successtui
outcome.
There still remain several conflicting inter
ests to be reconciled. A few OF the Republican
leaders are opposed TO any compromise. others
believe that If a compromise is made 1t should
he on terms which would not receive the ap-
proval of the Democrats. that Statehood
might be granted by a straight Republican vote
thus it is argued, providing a strong induce
1nent to the new States to elect Republican
Senator'S Senator Quay does not wish, II It
can be avoided, to antagonize his Democratic
allies. and Will stand for their views as long
as possible.
contemplated by the Senate at this session is
admitted to have strengthened the position OF
many of Statehood Senators. whose constitu
euts were censuring them for permitting the
territorial fight TO interfere with the desired
antitrust legislation. 1t is now evident that
the Statehood contest Will not interfere with
any jrnportant legislation apart from such ap-
the Omnibus bill rider. but there many
measures of Importance to individual Senators
which are being crowded out, and that aug
ments the pressure for compromise