The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-15
WILD CHEERS
 FOR CANNON Dramatic Scene in the
 Lower House. STATEHOOD REPORT ADOPTED Speaker Defends Himself Against
 Charge of Unfairness. Moon of Tennessee, Ranking Member of the Minority Upon the Com-
 mittee On Territories, Ex- plains Position of Demo-

" tVfi, lf-INOL III years has the House of Representatives wit messed a more dramatic scene than 1t witnessed today. incident to the adop- tion of the conference report on state- hood.
 At the close of a wearisome days debate on the sundry civil bill. the geological survey discussion occupying the major portion of the days pro- ceedings, Mir. Hamilton of Michigan, chairman of the committee on terri tories. called up the conference report on the statehood bill. In anticipation of something unusual. most of the members were in their seats while the galleries were comfortably filled.
 A round of cheers from both sides of the chamber greeted the chairman of the committee when he moved the adoption of the report. Earlier In the day he endeavored to call up the report but found the papers had not reached the House from the Senate. While there was no discussion on the report itself. a most unexpected episode en- sued.
 Mir. Moon of Tennessee, the ranking member of the minority of the conn mittee on territories. had made state- ment in relation to the position of the Democrats as to the compromise which had been agreed upon in conference. He was freely interrupted with ap- plause and was then followed by Mar GUS A Smith the delegate from Ari- zona who took occasion In guarded way to insinuate that there had been undue influence used In preparing an agreement.
 Cannon Makes Reply.
 Smarting under what he believed to be a direct insinuation against him, Speaker Cannon impctuously left the chair. calling Mir. Dalzell to the desk.
 Taking the position unconsclously in the aisle opposite the seat which he occupied for many years until chosen speaker, he asked the speaker pro tenn for five minutes to explain his posi- ton. Thunders of applause greeted the speaker as he stood with hand up lifted. his head shaking. waiting for quiet in the House. Again and again waves of applause swept over the chamber, Democrats and Republicans participating. Finally order was re- stored and then. measuring every word spoken, Speaker Cannon said:
 MT. Speaker. as q member of the House of Representatives during this session. as at all other sessions, I have represented my constituents and acted for the whole people according to my best judgment The coming into the Union of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory meets my approval If l had my choice and were supreme, I would infinitely prefer to see Oklahoma and the Indian Territory come separately, with an aggregate population of two and almost one-half millions, with four Senators rather than to see New Mexico and Arizona come together. and God knows, rather than to see them come singiy with about 300,0o0 popula- ton, with four Senators.
 Tt Is on secret to my views. As Republican I have sought to the best of my belief to voice my views. You have the result before you. Although every man in the Indian Territory should vote against statehood for the proposed new state of Oklahoma, not withstanding that protest, State would be and will be formed under this act"
 Mir. smith of Arizona arose.
 Declines to Be Interrupted.
 Mir. Cannon--I do not yield at this moment There is no separate vote there. There is a separate vote, how ever. as to the other two. So much for that I do not propose to go in the merits of this proposition. ] would not have taken the floor had not, the honorable gentleman, the delegate from Arizona (Mr. Smith) made the remark that there was a high penalty for the Governor of that Territory to attempt to influence legislation, or for one legislative body or its membership tS atter pt to traffic in the legislatio with the other In order to secure leg islation, If l correctly state him.
 That remark could not have had but one motive and one meaning and that meaning that some one in the House has sought to affect legislation in the House as matter of traffic. in order to secure action upon this mat
 
 piled so far IS r. reflects upon the Speaker of this House and SO far as know or believe upon any other mem her of this House Is unworthy of the gentleman that uttered it and without foundation in fact.
 "If it were necessary to furnish proof of this statement, I look about me here on my own side of the House, on mem hers with whom I disagreed touching the passage of the bill from time to time and upon that side of the House and I pause and invite any member present who has the least iRtimation or knop ledge or even belief that the statement implied in the insinuatlon of the gentle man is true. to say SO"
 When Speaker Cannon finished the House was in an uproar Tt ould not he controlled nor did the presiding of ficer make any effort towards con trolling it. Members who had sat fl silence during the delivery of the sneech. Democrats and Republicans all alike. crowded around the speaker O shake him by the hand and tell him how glad they were that the long drawn out fight for statehood had been happily ended in a compromise and tbat his speech voiced the sentiment of the members.
 Mr. Moon. previously fh presenting tho views of the minority, said: statement by MT. Moon.
 .,1- Sneaker the controversy be- ..,,onn inc two parties in the House on the admission of the territories of Ari- a lar ard New Mexico and Oklahoma s Indian Territory has been very sharp and strong for some years past. ..t,,ae in this body have felt that 1t was to the interest of all the people ot The I-nited States that the balance ot ,ower in this government between tha sections might he preserved in the of power in this government between wade instead of two out of these ter ritcrtes But in the consideration of inc case of oklahoma and Indian Ter