Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-02-09

Washington, Feb. THE long
drawn-out debate on the bill creating
two states out Of the territories Of Ok
lahoma and Indian territory and New
Mexico and Arizona, was concluded
yesterday with speech by Mr.. Bever-
idge which consumed the greater part
Of the days session. He spoke for all
most three hours and closed amid a
cordial burst of applause from the gal
leries.
Mr.. Beveridge based his advocacy OF
the bill upon the theory that congress
has absolute control of the creation OF
new states, and In celebrating. he said
the interests Of the nation as a whole
4 were paramount to the wishes OF the
people Of the territories. He declared
that the constitution gave congress
power to Impose any condition in such
legislation and quoted many prece-
dents to show that the tendency was
toward large areas and extensive popu-
lation In forming new states, which he
said must be the case in order to do
justice to sister states. He commended
that Arizona and New Mexico were
similar In topography and other char
acteristics and not naturally separated
by a mountain range as had been
claimed by some of the opponents of
the bill.
Mr.. Beveridge contended that the
creation Of Arizona territory had not
involved any contract to maintain the
boundary thus established and his ar
gtment on this point caused an inter-
ruption by Mr.. Alger who stated that
people who settled In Arizona had
gone there on practical contract with
the national government. If" he
ssid, "the United States is not going
to keep its agreements what are we
here forT Mr.. Beveridge replied that
there was no more reason why a per-
petual pledge should have hken given
TO the people Of Arizona than to those
Of any other territory. He said that
the principal reason for the original
creation Of the territory of Arizona in
1853 was to supply Offices 10 DEBATED
congressman. Mr. Beveridge asked Mr..
Alger how many Of the Arizona people
had ever read the so-called pledge of
perpetual autonomy to that territory.
and Mr.. Alger replied by asking how
many OF the New Mexico people had
read II. why" responded Mr.. Bev-
eridge, Il know all that the senator
knows about II. and know that not |
one out Of 100000 ever read II or knew |
anything about It.
Referring TO the character Of the |
people of Arizona and New Mexico.
Mr.. Foraker said that possibly some
Of them are not as good as they should |
be, but he contended that they are not |
alone as a community in that respect. !
Speaking Of political corruption. he re- =,
ferred to conditions In Missouri, Della |
ware, Illinois and Philadelphia. In the |
case Of Illinois he called attention TO
the charge that the privileges dis
pensed by the legislature Of that state |
are practically suctioned of. This
statement aroused Mr.. Hopkins, who |
nRid that the charge is not true. and
was made by an irresponsible party. |
Mr.. Foraker replied that he had not
counted upon support Of the charges
b. the Illinois senator. In dosing he
made an appeal for the admission Of
New Mexico and Arizona as two states
r-a O. common sseus. 0ut sain na Hs-
round Il impossible to get the commit
lee 10 strike Il out. at Is q humbug,"
IL aid "a cheap chrome, but one that