The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-20
HOUSE PASSES
STATEHOOD BILL
BY A STRICT PARTY VOTE.
OKLAHOMA AND ARIZONA TO BE
THE NEW STATES.

Indian Territory and Oklahoma
and New Mexico and Arizona Are
to He AmaIgamated and Taken
Into the UniOn-Finnl Debate Was
Had Upon the Measure, but the
Democrats Could Not Prevent It's
Passage.
Washington, April 19.-After a debate
extending through the entire session,
the House to-day passed the statehood
bill, providing for joint statehood of
Oklahoma and Indian Territory, under
the name of Oklahoma. and of Arizona
and New Mexico under the name of
Arizona.
In discussing the rule which had been
reported by the Committee on Rules,
providing for the immediate considera-
ton of the bill, Mr.. Williams, the mi
nority leader, declared that no Repub-
lican had any idea that the bill would
become law at this session.
In opposing the rule Mr.. Moon Of
Tennessee declared that the bill was an
intensely wicked and partisan measure
which, if passed, would violate the
plighted faith and honor of the United
States to the Five Civilized Tribes Of
Indians in the matter of treaty obliga-
lions.
He inquired of the Republicans If
they were going to pass the bill in
violation of their party platform ana
of treaty obligations. The territorial
delegates in the House, he maintained,
had protested until the hour of CO.
ercion by the Republicans to meet po-
litical exigencies."
Then Passed the Rule.
Denying that the Republicans had
been guilty of bad faith, Mr.. Dalzell
said the bill would take it's course as
a party measure, because it was re-
ported by the majority of the commit
tee submitted to a party caucus and
brought into the House pursuant to a
rule adopted by the caucus. He justi-
fled the measure on the ground that
1--WE are endeavoring to sustain the rel
ative power of the Senate and House
of Representatives in legislation"
The rule was adopted, $50 to Ill, a
strict party vote. The bill then was
taken up. Speeches were made for the
bill by Messrs. Spalding Of North Da-
kota, Sterling of Illinois, Curtis of
Kansas. Mcclure Of Oklahoma and
bill by Messrs. Grosvenor of Ohio,
Reid of Arkansas, Lloyd of Missouri,
Needham of California, Russell of
! Texas and Wilson of Arizona.
The third reading of the bill had
been directed by the speaker when one
of the most amusing incidents of the
session occurred. Mr.. Moon inquired
| if the third reading of the bill was to
| be by title only In the midst of an
] o1o - LaV ttIr nd
to the parliamentarian, Mr.. Kinds,
for further advice, and then announced
| that he would resolve the whole ques-
ton in favor of the individual privi-
lege of each member, any one of whom
could demand the reading of the bill.
One of 'sUncIe 5JOe's" SalIies.
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader
jocularly inquired oftthe speaker if hi:
decision had been arrived at "aftel
consultation"
The Speaker promptly replied that il
had been and he set the House in an
| uproar when he added, THE skilled
parliamentarian who has been at this
desk for many years can give the
chair" and, after a pause, land the
gentleman from Mississippi, cards and
spades and then have fountain of
parliamentary knowledge left"
It was some moments before the APP
plause and laughter which greeted this
sally subsidized Mr.. Maddox of Geor-
gia demanded the reading of the bill
which was begun, but later be with
drew his request.
Speaker Cannon further convulsed
the House when he asked:
rs there any other gentleman who
desires the bill read?" No one re-
| sponded. the bill was put upon it's pas
sage. the Democrats demanding the
yeas and nays. The bill was passed,
LAT to 104 strict party vote.
The House adjourned until to-mor-
row