Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-06
THE STATEHOOD FIGHT
More Uncertainty as to the
Outcome.
MR.. GALLINGER'S POINT
NOT ALL FAVOR JOINING OKLA
HoMA AND INDIAN TFRRIoTRY..
The Other Question as to New Mexico
and Arizona Still More
in Doubt.

On the eve of the day for voting on the
statehood bill there is expressed much un-
certainty In relation to the outcome ex-
cept so far as the adoption of that portion
Of the bill approved by the committee
which provides for single state for Okla
homa and Indian territory. Even that part
of the bill will be contested, as Senator
Gallinger today showed that so far as he
was concerned he would do everything in
his power to make two states instead of
one Of Oklahoma and Indian territory.
Senator Foraker was delivering an ex-
tremely able address in which he remarked
that he presumed there was practically no
difference of opinion so far as the admis-
sion of Oklahoma and Indian territory as
a single state was concerned. He went on
to say that from the time Oklahoma was
carved out Of the Indian territory the idea
appeared to have prevailed that the two
would some day make one state.
Senator Gallinger took exception to this
statement of the case, and asked the sena-
tor whether 1t was his idea that there was
no division Of opinion on that subject. SEN
ator Foraker replied that while there might
be some division his statement referred to
the general trend of opinion that he pre-
sumed was so overwhelming as to warrant
the form in which he stated the case.
Senator Gallinger then announced that
there was difference of opinion and that
so far as he was concerned he proposed to
have the Senate vote to determine whether
or not Oklahoma and the Indian territory
should not separately be brought into the
Union.
While this vote will be taken, and while
1t will receive considerable support, the I'M
preston prevails in the Senate that Sena-
tor Gallingers proposition cannot carry
and that single state should be made of
these two territories is safely assured
A Different Aspect.
But when it comes to New Mexico and
Arizona there is quite a different aspect to
the case. The advocates of the committee
bill today claim with the same assurance
as they have for some time in the past that
they are gaining strength constantly and
that they believe they will be able to defeat
both the amendments of Senator Patterson
for the admission of New Mexico as a
state, leaving Arizona to be voted upon in
the future, and of Senator Foraker who
will insist that the Senate shall vote on
the subject of making New Mexico and
Arizona states separately, and if this does
not carry, on his amendment submitting
to the people of the territories of New
Mexico and Arizona separately the ques-
ton as to whether they shall come into the
Union as one state. The effect of this
amendment will be that if either the peo-
pie of New Mexico or Arizona vote against
this proposition it will defeat statehood for
both of those territories at this time.
If this question is submitted to a vote
it seems not unlikely that the people of
New Mexico might favor the union of the
edged that in bringing them together the
advantage would be on the side of New
Mexico rather than Arizona.
There is great deal of interest mani
tpd in hl ta f1Ia ~
ton of statehood, and quite a large num-
Der of senators were in their seats hsten-
ing attentively to all that Senator Foraker
lad to say.
Senator Foraker's Argument.
Senator Foraker showed plainly that he
had delved into the subject on which he
spoke very thoroughly, and was ready with
a variety of details. and was prompt in
replying to any question that was put to
him. The closeness of the vote in relation
to New Mexico and Arizona especially, has
resulted in eeiectually stirring up senators
who are strongly interested in the bill
either for the adoption of the committee
recommendation or for the plan of giving
New Mexico and Arizona separate state
There were a good many conferences in
cloak rooms and about the Senate chamber.
Democrats are sticking very closely to-
gether in favor of getting as many states
as possible, and as there are thirty-three
in the Senate and as quite a lit
tie coterie of republican senators is ex-
pected to vote in sympathy with them they
are making formidable show of strength
Some interest was expressed in the votes
Of Senators Burton and Mitchell. 1t is I'M
derstood that Senator Burton is in favor of
the bill as adopted by the committe and
that Senator Mitchell believes the same
way. 1t is not generally believed that
either of them will be in the Senate to vote
and they may not even be paired Senator
Hawley will not be able to be in the SEN
ate chamber and Senator Aldrich 1t is ex-
pected will not be there when the vote is
taken. But Senators Hawley and Aldrich
will both probably be paired in favor of the
bill. Senator Foraker's leader
ship In fighting for two states for New
Mexico and Arizona is proving of strength
10 the opposition to the committee bill
He has been active right along and today
shows that he is in the fight thoroughly in
earnest.