Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-16
STATEHOOD CAUCUS.
Republicans Will Stand by Home Bill
and Ask for a Conference.

Washington, March 15-As the result OF
a caucus which lasted for two and hail
hours today, the Republicans of the
House voted 126 to 81 to stand by III"
statehood bill as it passed the House and
ask the Senate for n conference on the
measure. This vote followed Immediately
after a re solution offered by Mr.. Nor
dell OF Wyoming, representing the insur-
gents, had been defeated 12 to 43. the
Mondcll resolution being to agree 10 the
Senate amendment eliminating Arizona
and New Mexico from the bill and asking
n conference on the minor amendments in
the measure.
Several speeches were made. They were
limited to five minutes each. but in the
case Of Speaker Cannon and Mr.. Hanil-
ton Of Michigan, chairman of the conf
mittee on territories, the time was eX-
tended Mr.. Hamilton opened the discus
sion with Il plea for the original House
bill. lie said it had already been endors-
ed by three Republican conferences. He
discussed and opposed the Foraker
amendment, declaring it to be in the in
terest of corporations in the two terrific
| ries affected. He contended that the bill
was supported by the President and by
Speaker Cannon. Let us follow them
and fight it out with the Senate" was
his concluding admnnition.
Mr.. Mondel in offering his proposition
for concurrence paid a high tribute to
the Speaker, but declared that those who
opposed his position were only acting in
accordance with their duty. He discussed
the binding effect of the caucus and de-
clared he should not be bound by this
one.
The Speaker followed. touching first on
the binding effect of both caucuses and
conferences. He took the position that
where the party took action on any mat
ter Of this nature all members partici-
pating were bound by that action.
lie made the point that there We're %
residents of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
| tory who objected to being tied together
where there was one in Arizona and New
Mexico. He admitted he was being del
uged with kilograms on behalf of Okla
homa and Indian Territory at this time
and not disposing of Arizona and New
Mexico only meant that there would be
four new senators from Arizona and New
Mexico instead of but two senators in
case the House stood firm. Il wish to
God" he remarked. ''the Senate was
twice as good as it is. 1t performs it's
functions fairly well-it is our Senate"
But to add four senators where but two
should be added, he declared, would give
the Senate too much influence as COM
pared with the House, based on popula-
ton.
Reviewing legislation before Congress-
he said the rate bill would pass: that if
ItI,
bill would also become law land we can
stay here for three months" he declared
Addressing the insurgents. he added:
why join the Democracy in order to
have your own way?" The Speaker then
turned his face toward the Senate and
remarked: 'On what meat doth this our
Caesar feed that it hath grown so great"
My judgment is that statehood will
come as the House bill contemplates"
Mr.. Babcock of Wisconsin followed the
Speaker. He at once accused the leaders
with being eager enough to join with the
Democrats on the Philippine bill and
were now criticising those who intended
joining them on statehood. You have
fooled the members by calling It a con-
ference" he continued, "when you knew
if you called it a caucus you would not
get n quorum. If the bill goes to confer
ence as suggested. it will die"
Mr.. Waldo of New York declared that
senators who are anti-rate men have
formed n combination with Democrats to
defeat the House rate bill and the Phil
ippinc tariff bill. To meet this combina-
ton. he declared, it would be bal policy
for the House to yield on statehood and
have nothing with which to fight.
After the vote had been taken on the
two propositions Mr.. Bovnge of Colorado
asked unanimous consent to offer reso-
luton declaring the conference not bind
ing. Mr.. Watson at once objected to this
and the session was declared ended.