Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-28
REJECT STATEHOOD BILL
Republican Compromise Measure
Turned Down by Democrats.
ALSO WITHDRAWN AS A RIDER
indications Are That the Question
Will Receive Very Little Consider
alton During the Remainder of the
ReRsion.


alton During the Remainder of the
Session.
Washington, Feb. 25.-The Demo
cratic senatorial caucus has rejected
the two-state proposition for the ad-
mission of new states submitted by the
Republicans. The matter Of further
negotiations was left with the Demo
cratic members of the committee on
postofices, which has charge OF the APP
preparation bill with the statehood
rider. The object is to ascertain
whether there is majority Of the sen
ate willing to vote the rider upon the
bill. Unless there is an assurance of
success the Democrats will not vote
for the rider. The Democrats will not
accept anything on a basis of two
states.
AT yesterdays Democratic caucus all
the. speakers took positive grounds
against the compromise proposition,
and several of them spoke emphatic
ally against the proposition to put the
statehood bill on any Of the appropria-
ton bills as rider. At the same
time they favored placing the future
course of the party with reference to
the statehood bill as such, and also
as rider. in the hands OF the Demo
cratic members of the committee on
postoff1ces. A Democratic senator.
who is member of the committee on
territories, on being asked for q state
ment of the reasons for rejecting the
compromise proposition, wrote the fol-
lowing, which, after submitting 1t to
several Of his colleagues, he gave out
for publication:
THE Democratic caucus rejected the
proposed compromise statehood bill
Tor the following reasons: When Ari-
iona and New Mexico were made ter
Htories their areas were established
for ultimate statehood purposes, and
adj the interests and expectations OF
the people Of the two territories have
been in anticipation Of the two states.
1t would be gross injustice to the peo-
pie OF both to join them in one state.
Many Democrats feel that the Re
publican fight for statehood has not
been sincere, thev having used the
statehood bill as a buffer to prevent
trust legislation. For Democrats now.
having stood almost a solid body for
the admission Of the three territories,
to accept the proposed consolidation
would be to have placed into the hands
of the Republican antitrust cabaI.
"The people of Arizona are unani-
mously opposed to consolidation with
New Mexico. and the people OF both
the territories should be consulted.
The provisions in the consolidation
bill for ultimate separate statehood
are a snare. The question of separa-
ton into two states must be submitted
to the voters of the entire state, and
experience has taught that after the
interests of any area have been con-
soiidated as single state majority
cannot be secured for separation"
After the adjournment CT the eau
Gus the Democratic members of the
committee on postofices met the Re-
publican members of that committee
who have been friendly to statehood.
They decided to ask the chairman of
the two committees on postoffices and
agriculture to withdraw the statehood
riders which the committees have
placed on two appropriation bills. They
also decided to continue the fight for
the omnibus bill as it came from the
house without amendment, but not to
antagonize appropriation bills or ex-
ecutive business with it.
The Republicans have decided to
present the compromise bill to the
senate.
The indications are very strong
that the question will receive very
little II any more consideration during
the session, s.ad even the best friends
OF statehood generally admit that there
is no chance for success at this time.