New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-15
STATEHOOD HITS 4 SNAG.
HOUSE LEADERS, BEATEN.
Opposition to admission of Neso-
Meaico and Arizona.
IFron The tribune bureau. ]

washington. Dec. 1.-THE effort of the House
leaders to bind the majority vote for the dual
statehood programme by q caucus met, with sig
sl defeat this afternoon Such strong opposition 10
the Man to make of Arizona and New-Mexico a
single state. regardless of the wishes of the in
nahIeants Of each Territory, developed that IL
became necessary to abandon the idea Of caucus
,5 hold & conference instead. for 70 have held
. caucus would have precipitated bolt When this
vas done. and It was clearly understood that menu
hers present We're not TO be bound by the major
ia, the supporters Of the Hamilton Two State
mn we're able TO obtain only ITO votes, while the
o,nosition mustered So votes or eight more than
enough when combined with the 1871 Democratic
votes 10 defeat the measure on the floor of the
House
The opposition to the two State proposition gave
every evidence Of Indignation after the conference
adjourned. and many OF them declared that they
sill fight to the bitter end. 1t appears that those
N favor OF the Familton bin occupied forty-lve
minutes advocating that measure and then pro-
,osed that adjournment be taken for fifteen
minutes. this motion being carried by a viva voce
vote almost before the opposition appreciated its
significance. When the question OF adjournment
vas disposed of here remained only eight minutes
IN which those opposed to the measure could ex-
press their views. Tile occupied by Repre-
sentative Adams, OF Wisconsin.
Although the conference broke up with the lines
sharply drawn. and sufficient number OF Repub-
ucans voting against the two State proposition to
insure its defeat II is regarded unsafe to pre-
dict that the bill Will pass the House. because
Il is possible that the leaders will be able TO bring
: sufficient number of Republicans into line to
Crre a majority Of the House. The conference
voted unanimously for q measure which should
grant Statehood to Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Before taking up the question of Statehood the
conference elected Representative Watson Repub-
Hcan whip vice Representative Tawney now chair
man Of the Appropriations Committee, and also
gave vote Of thanks to Mr.. Tawney for his ell
Gent and faithful service whip
Senator Beverage is confident that If the House
viii send tWo-State bill reasonably early In
The session he secure its adoption by the SEN
ste although the leaders of the Senate do not re-
IN without the Foraker amendment as reasonably
certain. Senator Foraker's amendment provides
that Arizona and New-Mexico shall not be COM
bjned IN State until a majority OF the voters
ia each Territory have approved the proposition.
If the Committee Territories should decide 70
accept the Foraker amendment, the bill would
rTotaE Iv pass the Senate without opposition
II is asserted by those who favor the rWo-SVale
rropOstion that there is powerful lobby at work
IN Washington tc prevent its passage that TINS
mines In Arizona which are now taxed al an IN
faitesima part of their value. and that these men
annose Statehood for Arizona for the reason that
we're that Territory combined with New Mexico IN
FOR them to control the legislature. and the as
esssed value Of their properties would De SnoI-
-ousy increased. =
Snother argument advanced by the advocates of
The two-State proposition is that. were ALIzoiis5
Omitted to the Union alone. the Mormons would
have the balance of power, whereas, were the tW0o
territories combined, the Gentle populatlon OF
+te new State would sufficient to render the en-
ire Mormon vote within its borders lnnocuous,
Many Of the members of the House VINO Voteo
agpf1sf the tWo-State proposition to-day dlo SO
-5tb +he conviction that neither Arizona nor New
lsexico is ready for Statehood