Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-13
STATEHOOD PROBLE EN-
A Shifting of Position on the
Subject.
NO DISSENTING VOICE
AS TO ADMISSION OF OKLAHOMA
AND INDIAN TERRITORIES.
Arizona and New Mexico May Have
to Wait Until They Are
More Prepared. IA

Three weeks from today will witness the
assembling of Congress. with new blood III
10th House and Senate. 1t promises to be
a long and very important session New
policies are to be discussed and material
changes in existing economic conditions are
to be proposed. Coming upon the eve OF
congressional election, the session will feel
the effects to a certain extent OF political
considerations.
The admission of new states to the
Union will be Of the minor questions
TO occupy the attention of the new Con-
gress. II appears now that there VIII 10
decided shifting of position on the state
hood problem. some new lights having
dawned since statehood was discussed at
tire last session
Ii is understood that the committees On
territories of both House and Senate are
inclined to stand by the old prograrl OF
creating two states out of the four terri-
tories, but il will not be "A surprise If This
program fails 10 meet the approval of ma
jority of the republican sena tor5 and repre-
seDtatires. Since the question of statenoot
lor these four southwest territories was
brought into Congress many senators and
representatives have personally invesleat-
ed the existing conditions in the territorcs,
and the result is that public sentiment
among public men Is crystalllzing IN favor
of the plan of admitting Oklahoma and In
dian Territory 10 st5tcrood and letting Ari-
zona and New Mexico wait.
Oklahoma eand Indian Territory.
There does not seem TO be dissenting
voice against the proposed admission or
Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Differ
ence of opinion does exist as to whether
the two territories should be admitted as
one state or whether they should be ad-
mitted separate states. but on the main
proposition-the preparedness of these two
territories for Statehood-there is no DIS
senting opinion. In fact, the prevailing
view is that statehood has already been
too long delayed in the cases of Oklahoma
and Indian Territory. II is almost dis
graceful well-informed public men are say
ing, that these two progressive territories
should be held back simply because of dis
agreement as to whether those unprepared
territories, Arizona and New Mexico,
should be admitted. 1t is high time. many
men declare. for Congress to cut loose
from the Arizona and New Mexico propo-
sition. no matter what form 1t may take,
and admit Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Those members of Congress who visited
New Mexico and Arizona since Congress
adjourned last March, it is averred, with
out exception have come back con-
vinced that the territories are not ready
for statehood. Representative Tawney of
Minnesota, who a member of one con-
gressional party that made a visit to the
territories, has said since he returned to
the national capital that the Presidents
annual message to Congress ought to take
strong ground against the admission of the
two territories The judgment of the men
who have been studying the subject
fully is that the proposition of single state
hood for the two territories has but little
to commend 1t to the better judgment OF
Congress. The people of Arizona have
protested from the first against being link
ed with New Mexico, and members OF Con-
gress who have visited the territory say
the protest is well taken.
Arizona's Objection to Union.
The principal objection raised by the peo-
pie of Arizona to single statehood for the
two territories is that they would be domi-
mated IN all things by the people OF New
Mexico, with whom they have but little in
common. Persons who went over the
ground this last summer say that in the
northern part of Arizona there is q very
desirable population; a population composed
of progressive Americans who would be
valuable citizens of any commonwealth Tne
largely by Mexicans who know but little
about the government of the United States
and care less. Taken a whole, these Wis
itors say, the territory is far from prepared
ness for statehood. AS for New Mexico,
the prevailing opinion is that ii ought to
remain a territory until IL is AmericaniZed
and populated by persons who Will make
permanent citizens of the best class. The
effort to secure statehood for New Mex
leo has had some what ugly look from the
time II was started. 1t is asserted that the
statehood movement in behalf of that terri
tory had its inception with the Pennsyl-
vania men-poIticians and capitalsts-who
made large investments in railroads and
mining property in the territory.