Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-10-11

A special dispatch from MusHosee,
Indian Territory, says:
Senator Clapp. Of Minnesota. chair
maL Of the senate committee on In
dim fairs. has returned frorl u tour
OF Indian territory to study condl-
tons. A reception was rendered him
by the Musk0gee Commercial club,
and he delivered an address defining
his attitude toward the teri tory and
its legislative needs. Senator Clapp
expressed himself as being greatly
pleased at the progress and prosper
ity Of the territory. In my opinion
Indian territory Is ready for statehood.
"The people OF the territory ! be-
lieve are agreed on this point, that
they want immediate statehood. The
man who is doing this country harm
and impeding statehood is not the
one who says, Give us separate
statehood or the other person who
declares for single statehood but the
man who says, Give us a certain
brand Of statehood or none The
people OF this country should have
preferences and express them on the
statehood question, but they should
be a unit for immediate admission, If
such is possible"
Senator Clapp said that he believes
that statehood will be secured this
winter. Re made 1t plain, however.
that he was not speaking for con-
eress, but expressing personal views
II making this statement. The sena-
Tor will not commit himself on tie
kind of statehood to be desired, fur
ther than to state that he Is per
sonally in favor Of giving the people a
brand OF statehood that q majority Of
them desire.
Senator Clapp evidently believes in
ruling according to the will Of the
majority. His doctrine will apply very
well In New Mexico and Arizona. II
the congress OF the United States had
the decency and fairness to offer the
people of the territories q choice on
the matter It would be merely carry
ing out those principles Of govern
ment concerning which we prate SO
loudly on the Fourth Of July and other
days when fiimsy pretext Is accepted
as genuine sentiment.
There used to be those In this coun-
Itry who practiced as well as
PREACHED that government derived
Its just powers from the con-
sent of the governed. Yet a GER
tain faction Of the United States
congress, happily, we believe, still
a minority, wishes to bnlldoze
the people Of the territories Of New
| Mexico and Arizona, a majority Of
i whom are undoubtedly opposed to
such procedure, into accepting a joint
| state form of government. Ii this
form of government were offered by
a majority in congress without threats
and inuendoes, there would not be SO
much objection. But a minority I'M
pudcntly raises It's voice and says:
1--WE are going to block any effort to
bestow upon you your rights; We are
going to see to II that only Joint state
hood Is offered to you and II you don't
vote for that you won't get any kind
Of statehood for forty years"
The majority Of the people in New
Mexico ask for a fair vote In the
! American congress on the statehood
question. And there Is not a man in
either territory. who prefers separate
statehood to joint who would not he
Wiling to submit the matter to the
choice of the people Of New Mexico
and Arizona. But the joint statehood
minority dare not allow a fair vote
In congress and the Joint statehood
boomers Of Albuquerque would object
to leaving the issue to the voice Ut
the people Of the territory. To please
them It must be made a question be-
tween a joint state or no state.
The Optic has always believed II
the separate statehood forces are
finally defeated In congress and the
choice between Joint statehood or no
statehood be given. In accepting The
former, but It also believes not only
that the wishes Of the majority should
rule. but that unless a fair test OF
strength he allowed in congress and
the separate statehood forces be siv-
en- a square deal, that there isn't the
slightest possibility Of securing
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