The San Francisco call., 1904-04-20
Measure Providing for the
Admission of Four of the
Southwestern Territories
Passes the Lower Branch
ARIZONA DELEGATE
MAKES OBJECTION
Proposed Extension of a Por-
ton of the Capitol at
Washington Excites De-
bate Among the Senators

bill providing for the Joint statehood
Of Oklahoma and Indian Territory un-
der the name of Oklahoma and Of Ari-
zona and New Mexico under the name
OF Arizona In discussing the rule
which had been reported by the Com
mittee on Rules providing for imme-
diate consideration of the bill, Will
liams. the minority leader, declared
that no Republican had any idea that
the bill would become a law at this
session. Delegate Wilson of Arizona
opposed the bill. 1t was favored by
Delegates Rodey Of New Mexico and
Mcclure of Oklahoma.
In opposing the union OF Arizona
and New Mexico Wilson declared that
such union, against the will of the
people, was ultra-radical in policy
and was a political revolution in both
legislation and policy.
KANSAN SUPPORTS BILL.
In a brief speech in support Of the
bill, Curtis of Kansas insisted that the
Indians of the five civilized tribes and
the whites OF Indian Territory were
ready for statehood, and that 80 per
cent of the Indians were in favor of
joint statehood with Oklahoma While
stating that the bill did not exactly
conform TO his idea Of what was want
ed by the people of Oklahoma, Nc
would not be a vote against it either
in Oklahoma or Indian Territory
Republican opposition to the bill
came from Needham of California,
who. while entering no protest against
the union of Oklahoma and Indian
Territory. vigorously attacked the
proposition for joint statehood in Ari-
zona and New Mexico.
Russell of Texas criticized the plan
for the division Of the delegates TO the
constitutional convention of the State
Of Oklahoma, which, he said, proceed
ed on the rule Of eliminating from the
population of Indian Territory the In
dians Of the five civilized tribes.
Grosvenor of Ohio was open in his
expressions OF disapproval of the bill,
but said that, as the United States was
a country Of parties, and as parties
spoke through the caucuses, he would
vote for the bill.
The debate was closed by Rodey OF
New Mexico. who said that, while the
bill did not suit the people of his Ter
ritory, they nevertheless acquiesced in
it. He explained in great detail the
resource Of both Arizona and his own
Territory. and inquired If agriculture
alone were necessary to support a pop
ulation. He obtained great applause
when he cited New York City with its
great population. which. he said, did
not produce a potato
Delegate Wilson of Arizona asked if
New Mexico, with all her resources,
would not prefer individual statehood.
to which Mr.. Rodey replied that his
views were we'll known and that if
the people did not like the measure
they had the privilege of voting it
down, "as the election expenses were
TO be paid by the Government" He
predicted that in 1910 New Mexico
would have population of 1,O00. 900 and
closed with an earnest plea for the pas
sage of the bill. The third reading of
the bill had been directed by the
Speaker, whereupon Mr. Moon, in
quired if the third reading was to be
by title only. In the midst of an elab-
crate discussion the Speaker turned to
the Darliamentarian, 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
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader
jocularly inquired if the Speakers de-
cision had been arrived at 'after con-
sultation." The Speaker promptly re-
piled that ii had been, and 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.
"snd the gentleman from Mississippi,
cards and spades and then have a
fountain of parliamentary knowledge
left" 1t was some moments before the
applause which greeted this sally sub
sided. Mr. Maddox of Georgia demand
ed the reading of the bill, which was
begun, but later he withdrew his re-
quest
Speaker Cannon further convulsed
the House when he asked: rs there
any other gentleman who desires the
bill read?"
No one responding. the bill was
passed, 147 to 104 a strict party vote.
WORK OF THE SENATE.
The question of additional accom-
mediation in the way of Office and COM
mittee rooms occupied the attention of
the Senate the greater part of the day
The subject arose in connection with
two provisions in the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill, one for an extension
of the east front Of the Capitol in ac-
cordance with sketches left by Archi-
tect Walters and the other for an out
side Senate Office and committee build
ing Much variety of opinion was ex-
pressed and the question was still un-
der consideration when the Senate ad-
journed.
Several minor amendments suggested
by the Committee on Appropriations
were adopted, among them the follow
ing: Appropriating s25. 900 to enable
the United States to participate in the
Liege (Belgium) exposition of 1905; ap-
propriating $4,000 for railroad map
of the United States to be made by the
Geological Survey; authorizing the is
suauce of medals for exhibitors at the