The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-28
Leg |SLAT|
POSTP PONED
IN HOUSE
After Sensational Scene
Arizona and New Mexico
Statehood Abandoned.

Washington, Feb. 27.-There will be
no statehood legislation for New Mex
leo and Arizona at the present session
of congress. AT meeting of the com
mittee on territories today, all mem
bers, regardless Of party, In a sonsa-
tional scene, abandoned consideration
OF the house bill.
The members of the committee left
the room without any one suggesting
further meetings for its consideration.
This remarkable action occurred at
the conclusion Of tho reading of state
ments presented by Senators Nelson
and Beveridge, charging corruption,
jury bribinS and various other of
fenscs against certain officials and
leadrS Of what was termed the gang,
which is In control Of political affairs
in New Mexico.
Among the statements read was a
telegram from j. j. Hagerman. former
governor Of New Mexico, rejecting
upon the character of the people who
are in control of politics OF the terri
tory, and declaring that the men en-
the territoy becomes state. He re-
fcrs to them as "freebooters," and
said that 60 por cent of the voters are
MeXicans. and one-half of that mum.
Der are llliterate and ignorant and
easily could be governed by the gang"
TO which he referred. He suggested
that II would be well to walt until
after the next census before admitting
New Mexico to statehood. Another
statement was read counting the diff.
culties experienced by Ormsby Nc
Harg. who went to New Mexico In
1907. as an agent Of the department Of
justice. TO prosecute land frauds. This
statement declares that Mr. McHarg
was hamperei in his work by Governor
Curry and his attorney general, Judge
A. b. Fall.
Among other confidential informa-
ton, produced by various senators,
were number of indictments return
ed against the territorial officials and
there was read also letter from w.
+. Wilcox, a former newSpaperman OF
Santa Fe, who asserts that his life was
threatened, and that he believes the
threat would have been carried out
uuu nt uOt lell llt leGIllpISs
1t is regarded as extremely likely
that the committee on territories will
decide 10 conduct an investigation in
New Mexico before action on an adj
mission bill. Senator Beveridge today
introduced a resolution, which author
lies the committee TO conduct hear
ings. IL thought to be advisable.
In some of the communications laid
before the committee. rofWencc is
made 10 the trough rider influence" and
1t Is declared that Governor Curry and
number OF others made several trips
TO Washington to have the agents OF
the department OF justice called on
when they were investigating land
fraud cases.
Miss Lawlor, i Btenographer. who
assisted In tho land fraud cases, made
statement to the committee, which
indicated that the livss OF the govern
ment agents were In danger as long as
they persisted In their Investigations
She mentioned several people proml-
nent in public affairs I'm New Mexico
in a most uncomplimentary manner
and cited certain records. which she
, said would bear her out in all her
the committee. one of the Democratic
senators proposed that all sections of
the bill proposing 10 legalize land
gants and bond Issues, be stricken
out. This proposition met with OBJ
lection and today 1t was said that
there is not a single member of the
committee who would vote to report
the bill. There was practically no dis
! cussion Of the bill at the meeting
today The time was wholly consumed
| by the statements presented. 1t was
| recognized that whether the state
ments were true or not, questions had
i been raised that could not be dis
posed OF at the present session Of con-
| gress. That being the general view,
| the members OF the committee dis
| persed and any meeting that is held
now will be at the call OF Chairman
! Beverldge No date was fixed for fur
I ther meetings.
Attention was directed TO the land
section OF the statehood bill several
days ago, when Senator Nelson pro-
tested TO several OF his colleagues
against the activity of the New Mexie
can statehood lobby" In Washington.
He was opposed, particularly TO the
work of Governor Curry who appear
ed on the floor of the senate In the
exercise Of a privilege had had as
governor of one of the territories.