Fergus County argus., 1905-02-15
of New Mexico alone or against it.

of New Mexico alone or against its
admission coupled with Arizona. The
condition with reference to polygamy
is much worse in Arizona than in New
Mexico and the conditions in both are
such as to restrain me from voting
for either. Today polykAmy exists in
New Mexico; it has been declared to
be the breeding ground of that prac-
tice. am in possession Of infOrma-
tion concerning the conditions in that
territory which is absolutely startling.
cannot now enter into particulars,
but l do want to call attention to
the conditions, and I say that, in my
judgment, it would be a fatal mistake
to admit either or both territories, and
| believe the country at no distant
time would rue the step if taken.
Neither territory should be admitted
until this abominatiOn is wiped out
Mr.. Dubois, who is also a member
of the committee on privileges and
elections, spoke for the admission OF
New Mexico, saying that the revela'
tions concerning polygamy made in
the SmOOt case have been so startling
that the national government will take
COulEOI Ol uucSiIOu VI PCAy Sohy
in the states, as well as in the terri
tories.
Mr.. McComas also spoke of the rev.
elations before the committee, and
expressed the opinion that, in view
OF them, far more effective structures
tnan are now in force against poly
gamy are necessary" He opposed
separate statehood for New Mexico.
MIR. Platt Comm, said there was
no doubt about the power of congress
to restrict polygamy, IAN institution
which" he said, lis SO inimical to our
future
The vote on the amendment for
the separate admission of New Mex.
leo was then taken and it was carried
AZ to 40. 1t was evident from the
outset that the vote would be close
and the progress was followed with
deep interest. Clark and Gibson vot
ed yea.
Pettus and Crane and Tillman and
Hawley were paired on this vote and
Messrs Aldrich, Burton. Knox and
Mitchell We're absent and impaired
The result evidently was a surprise
to the advocates of the house bill and
its announcement was followed by
many conferences among them on the
| floor of the senate.
While there were in progress, Mr.
| McCumber proposed. as a substitute
for the provision admitting state
composed of Oklahoma and Indial
Territory combined, an amendmen
admitting Oklahoma alone as state
Mr. McCumber supported. the substi
tute and Mr.. Beveridge made an ear
nest plea against it, saying that i
strikes at the entire measure and de
prives the people of Indian Territor.
of the relief they so much need. Mr.
Bailey and Mr.. Bate spoke for tn,
amendment. 1t was defeated, As t.
80.
Mr.. Gallinger offered an amendmen
that it require a majority of bOtl
Oklahoma and Indian Territory t,
adopt constitution for the proposed
state of Oklahoma. A motion by Mr.
Hale to lay the amendment on tn,
table was carried.
An amendment was offered by Mr.
Dolliver. providing for terms of cour
at Tulsa in addition to the other cit
les in Oklahoma provided by the bill
Mr.. Bailey opposed the amendmen
on the grounds that the senators ant
representatives of the new stat,
should be permitted to ask congress
to locate the courts. He said, how
ever, that if a session OF the court i
to be held at Tulsa, he had friend
he wanted to accommodate at Chick
asaw, and he offered an amendmen,
providing for this. Both amendment
We're agreed to. A number of othe
amendments, offered by Democrat
senators, were laid on the table
Mr.. Berry suggested All amendmen
which was agreed to, providing tina
nothing in the act admitting Oklahom
should be construed as prOhibitin
the establishment of separate whit
and colored schools
The proceeding on the bill through
| out the day had been in committe
, of the whole, but at 7.l5 the senat
resumed its sitting.
MIR. SpOOner gave notice that h
would demand separate vote on tn
, Bard amendment for separate state
hood for New Mexico. This notice
under the parliamentary practice &
| the senate had the effect of revivin
, that question, and it was again tai
en- up and amendments to the provi.
! ion were declared to be in order On
5 Of these was offered by Mr.. Duboi.
and was reservation by congress {
the right to legislate on the subject E
f polygamy. 1t was voted down.
4 An amendment was proposed b
, Mr.. Kearns, providing that all tina
: portion of Arizona lying north of til
: Colorado river shall be annexed
/ Utah. Mr.. Beveridge, in behalf of til
J. committee, indicated willingness
accept the amendment, but the cha
S asked if the yeas and nays were d.
e sired. Several senators indicated
e desire to that end. and Mr.. Bale.
!. sitting in his seat. but with voice su
D (iciently raised to be heard througho,
e the chamber said: Before that trad
; is cOnsummated we certainly wal
+ the yeas and nays"
The yeas and nays were ordered an
i the amendment was accepted, IS
S SO.
The vote was then again taken c
the amendment eliminating Arizor
S the amendment to admit New MeXit