The Washington times., 1905-02-07
STATEHOOD BILL
ON ITS FINAL LAP
Vote Oh Measure Will Be
Taken Today.
MAY DEFEAT COMMITTEE
Some Senators Express Confidence
After Count of Noses-What
Passage Means.

The Statehood bill is having its last
day of consideration in the Senate to-
day.
Chairman Beveridge. of the Commit
tee on Territories which reported the
bill. closed the debate late yesterday af-
ternoon leaving today's session tor the
consideration of amendments ana unai
vote on the bill before the days adj
jOurnment is taken.
What the fate of the committee bill
VIII be is still q matter OF douot, al
though indications are that its pas
sage as amended will amount practical
~ to a defeat. Both sides claim We
hement1y that they are sure TO win out
two exactly opposite views as to the
names of the Senators who will be
found on the list of disappointed ones
after the final vote is taken.
Amending the Bill.
AS there has been no practical opposi-
ton to the admission of Oklahoma and
Indian Territory as one St,tte, interest
has been centered especially on the Ari-
zona-New Mexico part of the bill.
As an amendment TO TINS poF.ion OF
record its views on amendment pro
viding that New Mexico shall be admit
ted as d State, irrespective of Arizona.
If this fails the Foraker amendment Will
be taken uD to include the provision
that the two Territories shall vote sep
arately on accepting joint Statehood.
This would have the same erect as the
preceding amendment. as 1t would not
force Statehood on Arizona. The third
proposition in this category is to strike
out all that portion of the bill relating
to these two Territories, and permit the
subject to go over to another Congress.
This last proposition, naturally
enough. is strongly opposed by the COM
nfttee on Terri: cries Chairman Bev-
eridge and his colleagues haze given
weeks and weeks TO the perfection OF
the present bill, and one of their strong
est arguments has been that It's passage
will settle for all time the question OF
Territories in the contiguous lands OF the
United States. These Senators feel the
question can be settled now Just as well
as postponed, and they are very de-
cided in their views that a conclusion OF
the debate on Statehood for the Terri
tories of the Southwest will be bless
ing from national standpoint.
This. then, is the chief contention of
the Committee on Territories, and II the
hAi does not so through on those lines,
1t Will be regarded as a defeat for the
committee.
Forecast of Vote.
| The Senators who express confidence
in their power to defeat the committee,
do so liz consequence of a count of
noses They claim as sure all but one
of the Democratic votes, the uncertain
enc being Senator Clarke of Arkansas
That gives them thirty-two votes as a
! Uonents of the committee claim fourteen
sure votes, as follows:
Alger of Michigan, Bard Of California,
Burrows of Michigan, ElISins of West
Virginia, Foraker of Ohio, Gailinger OF
| New Hampshire, Hansbrough of North
| Dakota, Hepburn of Idaho, Mecuu1ber
! of North Dakota, Penrose OF Pennsyi-
vania Perkins of California, Scott OF
| West Virginia, Smoot of Utah, and
| Stewart of Nevada.
OF the doubtful votes. kearns of Utah
| and Dietrich of Nebraska are likely TO
| support the committee, while Foster of
| Washington is as likely 10 take the
opposite side.
| Senators AIdrich. Burton. Hawley, and
Mitchell are absent and viii not be able
! to pair their votes. because the bill is
not a partisan measure. Deductins
| these votes the full strength OF the Sen
ate Will require only forty-four votes to
ponents claim forty-six, with the pos
sibi1ity Of anything up to fifty. This
| last number is not likely to be obtaAneo
! under any circumstances, however, be-
| cause OF the possibility of unexpected
| absences.
What Passage Will Mean.
Even should the vote be adverse tC
the committees wishes, Chairman Bev-
eridge will expect the bill to fall in con
| to have stronger foundation than that
professed by the Senate opposition. who
| claim that if the bill goes back TO the
| House with amendments, the House viii
gree to such changes.
This would create an Interesting situa-
ton between the two Delegates IN Con
| gress from these Territories. Rodey OF
! New Mexico, end Wilson of Arizona
| Any kind of Statehood for New Mexico
| with or without Arizona. will be vic.
| tory for Rodey. Statehood for New
/ Mexico without Arizona would still be
| q victory for Rodey, and in addition 9
| tl-iITnDh for Wilson, ANYTHING that ties