The Colorado statesman., 1905-01-07
STATEHOOD BILL
is DISCUSSED THE SENATE
Senator Bate Pleads Against Undue
Haste.-onIy reason for consolida.
ton Is to Keep Down Number OF
Senators

Washington. Jan. 5.-Upon recon
vening yesterday after the holiday re-
cess the Senate plunged directly into
consideration of the bill for the admis.
sion of two states to be composed of
Arizona and New Mexico, and Okla
homa and Indian Territory. motion
by Mr.. Beveridge to take up the bill
prevailed by a two-thirds majority.
The reading of the statehood bill be-
ing concluded, Mr.. Bate moved to re-
commit that measure because the tes-
timony taken before the committee on
territories had not been reported, rem
dering 1t difficult to make a minority
report. Many of the sittings of the
committee, Mr.. Bate said. had been
held when the Senate was in session
and this with other circumstances had
prevented the attendance Of Demo
cratic senators. He pleaded against un-
due haste in the matter and entered
upon an argument against the consoli-
dation of the four territories into two
states. Referring to the proposed
union Of Arizona and New Mexico, he
said they would make state OF
greater area than is comprised in all
the New England states, with New
York. New Jersey and Pennsylvania
added.
The only reason for the consolida-
ton was found, he said, in the desire
to prevent an increase of United
States senators.
Mr.. Beveridge said all the members
of the committee on territories had
been notified of the committee
meetings and that failure to attend
was with the members. He also said
the fact that the House had made a
! full report of testimony rendered a
similar report by the Senate unneces-
sary.
Mr.. Bate admitted that due notice
of meetings had been given. "They
wanted us to help make quorum" he
said, but We did not come up with thu
ante" The reference of the venerable
senator to a popular game caused
smile around the chamber. His mo-
ton was voted down, Mr.. Hepburn vot-
ing with the Democrats for recon-
initial.
Mr.. Nelson supported the bill as re-
ported by the committee. Referring
especially to the territories of Okla
homa and Indian Territory, he said
they were SO constituted as to be the
complement each of the other.
Explaining the grant of land for
| pOpco, WI ANSiSch ehiu siisNs
the entire state would get the bene-
fit OF the grant to Oklahoma.
He also spoke Of the grant of So
600, 900 for schools, but said this was
not q gratuity, as was suggested by
Mr.. Bailey.
Mr.. Foraker and Mr.. Bailey united
in asking questions concerning the
provision referring to the Oklahoma
school lands which had already been
granted. and Mr.. Bailey suggested
that it might lead to further trouble.
Mr.. Nelson said the reiteration was
merely for the purpose of making as
surance doubly sure.
In considering the provisions of the
bill relative to New Mexico and Ari-
zona, he quoted statistics to show that
the growth of both territories had been
slow and the population was still mea-
ger. The present population of the two
territories was 100000 or less. He ad-
mitted that large percentage Of the
people of Arizona were Americans,
while many of those in New Mexico
were Mexicans. He did not admit,
however, that majority of the New
Mexico people were Mexicans, and he
also contended thatSthere was no real
enmity between the two nationalities.