New-York tribune., 1905-02-07
MAY ADMIT TWO STATES.
LEAVING ARIZONA OUT.
Statehood Bill an It's Present Form
Probably Defeated-Vote To-day.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU ]

Washington. Feb. 6-Senator Beveridge closed
the long Statehood debate in the Senate to-
day with a speech of exceptional power and
ability. presenting the strongest possible view
Of the committees attitude and ending with an
eloquent peroration which drew applause from
the galleries. despite the stringent rule forbid
ding applause in the upper chamber CT Con-
eress. The indications are tonight however.
that the committee measure will be practically
defeated although the vote is SO close that
enough Senator's to pass it may possibly be won
over at the last moment
careful canvass of the Senate made this
evening shows fourteen Republican and thirty
two Democratic votes in favor of an amendment
which will eliminate Arizona from the commit
tee measure and create two States. one to con-
sist of Oklahoma and Indian Territory and the
other of New-Mexico or a total vote of forty
six against the chief contention of the commit
tee. which is that a single State be created
from the Territories of Arizona and New-Mex-
leo.
The Republicans who have agreed to vote for
the opposition amendment are Senators Alger.
Bard. Burrows. EIkins. Foraker. GaIlinger.
Hansbrough. Hepburn, McCumber. Penrose.
Perkins, Scott, Smoot and Stewart. The Demo-
Gratis, with the possible exception OF Senator
Clarke, OF Arkansas, will vote solidly with the
Republicans named In the doubtful column
may be placed the following Senator'S who are
unwilling to commit themselves: Clarke of
Arkansas; Dietrich. Foster of Washington. and
kearns. Four Senators-Messrs. Aldrich. Bur-
ton. Hawley and MitcheII-are absent. that
forty-four votes Will constitute a majority Of
the Senate. This not being strict party meas
ure. pairs Will not be accepted. Had a vote
been taken this evening the committee measure
could have commanded only thirty-six votes.
Senator Beveridge. who has made such a
strong fight, will not give up hope until the
final vote is cast and he still believes he can
win over enough Republican Senators to carry
the committee bill 10 a successful issue The
opposition, led by Senator Foraker. who made
a powerful speech in support of his contentious
this afternoon will raise objection to per-
fecting the Statehood bill by the adoption of the
committee amendments. but, these having been
disposed of and the bill remaining in committee
| Of the whole. a motion will be made to substi-
tute for that portion which provides that Ari-
zona and New-Mexico shall he united in a sin
| gle State an amendment providing that a State
shall be created out of the Territory of New
/ Mexico, and the vote on this amendment will
/ demonstrate the strength Of the opposition. If
/ this amendment should fail, the opposition will
move to strike out all that portion of the bill
referring 70 Arizona and New-Mexico. and will
content itself with leaving the question of joint
/ OF single SIatenOo0 1Or these territories to De
/ determined by another Congress.
Senator Beveridge is positive that II the op-
position programme is successful in the Senate
/ the bill Will fail in conference. but the opposi-
| ton leaders insist that they have sufficient
| strength in the House to insure the acceptance
| Of the Senate amendment.
! 1t is evident. however. that if the opposition
succeeds tomorrow the ultimate fate of the bin
must be in doubt until the conference reports
! have been agreed to by both houses. Not until
| then will it be certain whether Oklahoma and
| Indian Territory alone are to be admitted TO
/ the Union, whether those Territories and New
| Mexico are to be admitted, or whether the entire
measure viii fail and the contest have TO be
| renewed at some future session Of Congress.