Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
At THE WHITE HOUSE
The President on the State
hood Bill.
CHANGE OF. OPINION
RUM0RS OF MANY POLITICAL
DEALS INVOLVED.
Republican Party Cannot Afford to Be
a Party to. Any Such
Agreement.

Attention has been drawn a number Of
times, especially by democratic newspapers,
1t is said, to the apparent change Of atti-
tude Of President Roosevelt on the question
Of statehood for the territories of New
Mexico and Arizona. This change Of atti-
tude has been commented upon a number
OF times by citizens Of these territories
calling at the White House, and regret has
been expressed that anything should have
happened to change the Presidents views.
Territorial advocates have called attention
to the fact that the President earnestly ad-
vocated statehood In his first message to
Congress- more than a year ago, and his
known affiliations with and friendship for
the west were elements that strengthened
the belief that one of the strongest sup
porters of statehood was the President
himself
SO sure were the western men and terri
torial advocates Of the Presidents SYM
pathy that they frequently sought his in
nuence In bringing the House to consid
Grafton OF the omnibus bill that is now be-
fore the Senate. The mystery surrounding
the change has perplexed many people, bu.
1t Is asserted by men close to the admin
istratlon that there Is one strong reason
Tor change by the President that the
general public has no acquaintance with
This reason. 1t is pointed out, is sufficient
to man of the Presidents Temperament
ana sturdy honesty. 1t is likewise de-
Senator Hanna, who is chairman of the
national committee of the republican party
and many OF the strongest leaders Of the
republican party in the Senate
This reason, 1t is SAID is founded on the
oft-repeated allegations of political and
other deals On the inside of affairs, we'll
understood to republican senator's of promi-
nence, hints and suggestions have been
n ny,f1 1xyFv
even months that there are deals on foot
as to statehood with which the republic can
party and the administration could not af-
ford to be identified. Broadly stated, there
are TOO many allegations of political under
standing and of future benefits to be de-
rived from state legislation and other
sources to suit the President Senator
Hanna and other leaders Of the party
Could the question Of statehood have been
settled without being complicated with
these allegations the President, it is said.
might have continued in the same belief
that ne entertained year ago. ,~ So
but ne DOES not propose that his admin
istration shall ever be connected with
measure OF any kind that could afterward
be held up as full of jobbery and pre-
agreements. The allegations are of such
nature, IT Is pointed out, that any investi-
cation by the President would be fruitless,
and consequently he has no means of know
Ing or finding out for himself whether this
or that charge is true. All he knows, If he
cared to talk, is that substantial men have
laid before him facts and statements that
make him, for the present at Ieast- disposed
to keep hands off.
Senator Hanna's Position,
How true the report is as to the reason
for the Presidents attitude there is no way
Of accurately ascertaining, but it is declared
as certain that the strong stand that Sena-
tor Hanna is taking against the omnibus
c duo fn oil
various sources that should the omnibus
bill become law the six senators who would
come from the three new states would be
divided between the democratic and repu-
lican parties. The three new states would
likewise cast ten electoral votes, and the
allegation is broadly made that part of
these votes would go to the democrats and
part to the republicans
Following this agreeable division of af-
fairs. 1t is declared that the influence of
certain men over the legislatures of the
new states would be immense and com
plicated with further opportunity for
charges of all kinds. How much credence
Senator Hanna gives to the charges neither
he nor his friends will state but signifi-
cant reference Is made to the fact that SEN
ator Hanna Is opposing with all his might
py personal argument and public speeches.
the omnibus bill. and that as chairman of
the republican national committee he has
1E the party except the President. 1t is re-
called that Senator Hanna some time ago
spent long time with the President much
longer than he had ever found necessary To
take UP with the chief executive on minor
political matters. Many senators have plac-
ed before the President numerous facts and
reports that have come to them.
What Senator Quay Is doing to offset the
allegations, If they have reached his ears.
IS not known, as he is working with no
blackboard to bulletin his doings or say
ings or thoughts. He had a talk with the
President yesterday and several times re-
Gently, but these conferences were not of
sufficient length to justify the belief that
anything was said along the lines suggested.
There are back of the senator a number
OF republican senators who may or may not
have considered the charges as strongly
as others high in the republican party,
and, II they have, the same conclusions
may not have been reached. That they are
still giving consideration to these features
Of the tangle In the Senate is said to be
the case. and the opponents of the state
hood bill believe that they will secure fur
ther accessfons from the ranks of those
now supporting the bill
However much or little there may be in
the allegations, it Is known that the re-
pubiicans who are now opposing the omni-
bus bill In the Senate have solemnly agreed
among themselves that the bill shall never
pass at this session of Congress That they
Will carry out this agreement there Is said
to be not the slightest doubt. 1t Is indif-
result, although they are hopeful that SUI
fcient strength will be added to their forces
to be able to defeat the bill by majority
OF the votes of the Senate. They hold that
public sentiment throughout the country is
becoming stronger every day against the
bill, and that they are justified in taking
the stand now occupied by them
Will Not Make Written Pledge,
To commit his supporters SO that there
can be no change, Senator Quay is said to
have conceived the idea OF securing written
pledges. but failed on the presentation of
such a. paper to some OF those who are at
present standing by him. The change in
sentiment throughout the country as to
statehood Is shown, 1t is said, in the action
OF the state senate Of California few days
ago in refusing. by vote of 26 to 7, to
pass resolution advocating statehood
This sustains the position Of Senator Bard
OF California. who is aligned with the op-
position to the omnibus bill. Senator Per-
kins has been supporting the bin on the
ground that the San Francisco chamber of
commerce desired its passage. As he is
man who keeps in close touch with the SEN
tiuent OF his state there are conjectures
that he may conclude that sentiment in