The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-28
AGREE ID VOTE ON
 STATEHOOD BILL
Little Difficulty in Reaching an
 Understanding
INDIAN BILL IS TAKEN UP
Much Time Given to Disposal of the Coal Lands In Indian Territory. Discussion In the
 Senate.

Washington, February 2L-The Sena' e agreed to vote on the statehood bill be- fore adjournment on Friday. March 9. The proposition to take the vote at that time was made by MT. Beyeridge, and there was little difficulty in reaching an under standing The suggestion immediately iol- lowed a speech in support of the bill by MT. Hopkins during the course of which MT Hale suggested that the territories were not prepared for statehood and sug- gested that their admission be deferred.
 The remainder of the day was devoted to the discussion of the bill providing Tor the settlement of the affairs of the i've civilized tribes of Indians the major portion of the time being given to the provision for the disposal of the coal lands in Indian Territory.
 In the course of his remarks MT. Hop kins referred to the Foraker amendment giving Arizona a separate vote on the question of admission as "insidious and dangerous" but when MT. Foraker ob- jected to the language, the Illinois sena- tor withdrew the word "insidious.' What he had meant to say was that the adoption of the amendment would not only ac- complish the defeat of the object of the pending bill, but would ultimately result in the admission of Arizona as a separate state. Mir. Foraler admitted that he hoped to see both New Mexico and Ari zona admitted as separate states at some time in the future
 Railroads Are Dominant.
 MT. Hopkins discussed the charge that the railroad and mining corporations of Arizona were standing in the way of the union of that territory with New Mexico and when Mr Dubois asked some ques- tions on that subject MT. Nelson replied that those two interests dominate the legislature of Arizona" and he added the opinion that the union of the two ter ritorles as one state would have the et- feet of minimizing the evil.
 In replying to Mr Dubois question as to how the union would improve the sit nation. MT. Nelson said that while no protests against consolidation had come from the corporation of New Mexico, most of the opposition in Arizona came from the railroads and the copper mines. lie added that these interests pay less taxes in proportion to the value of property than do other interests.
 Do the railroads of the District of Co., lumbia pay their share of the taxesY' asked MT Dubois, and Mir Hopkins re- plied
 When the District of Columbia knocks for admission to the Union, we will con- slider that question"
 Do the Illinois railroads pay theAr share of taxes?' MT. Dubois demanded, and MT Hopkins replied that they did; that the laws required that they should, and it was proposed to require such a condition in Arizona
 Mr. Carter made the point that under congressional control it would be easier to accomplish that result in territory than in a state.
 MT. Nelson replied to this point with a general exposition of conditions In both Arizona and New Mexico, not altogether favorable to those territories, This state ment brought Mr. Hale to his feet with the inquiry whether it is not logical to conclude that territories should not be admitted at all at this time. He added that he did not want to be understood as indicating a purpose to vote against the bill but that 1t seemed to him that it would be wiser to permit the two ter ritories to remain as they now stand.
 Better Make One State.
 Mir. Hopkins replied that owing to the persistency of the advocates of making two states, it would be better to make one state now and thus dispose of the question. He then spoke at some length of the individuality of admitting terri tories with small population or diminutive area.
 MT. Perkins replied to some of Mir Hopkins reflections on the improbability of growth in Arizona by saying that pros poets for Arizona were as good now as were those of California when that state was admitted.
 When MT. Hopkins concluded Mir. Bev- eridge presented a proposition for an agreement to vote on the statehood bill on Thursday. March s.
 MT. Spooner urged a postponement of the date in order to give sufficient time to consider the bill for the settlement of the affairs of the five civilized tribes of Indians. He pointed out the import ance of the charge made that an old land grant would give certain railroads lands worth $30,000,00o and said the statehood bill could afford to wait on that measute
 Mr. Bailey opposed delay saying that postponement would conflict with the con sideration of the railroad rate bill with which the Senate was even now prepared to proceed
 Indian Bill Taken Up.
 After further debate the date of the vote was fixed for 1 o'clock, Friday March 9. The Indian settlement bill was then taken up and MT. Aldrich suggested that in view of the importance of the subject involved and the lack of infor- nation on the part of the Senate the whole matter should be deferred. He urged the adoption of a resolution ex- tending the tribal government but MT Clapp objected because of the difficulty of securing the cooperation of the House of Representatives.
 MT. Long made the point that Con- gress had been considering the question at issue for eight years. He contended that there was no danger of the loss