The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-22
STATEHOOD BILL PASSED.
SOLID VOTE FOR ADMISSION Or
ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO.
Debate ON Measure Consumed Little
More Than Two Hours-Democrats
Favored House Bill, But Preferred
senate Substitute TO Nothing-Fear
OF Delay I'm Conference With House
Dissipated.

most three months. in a state of un-
certainty as TO its fate. the bill pro-
viding for the admission Of the Terri
tories OF New Mexico and Arizona to
separate Statehood was taken up ty
the senate today and passed. after a
debate consuming little more than two
hours.
The measure was called up by SEN
ator Beveridge. chairman of the COM
mittee on Territories. and was passed
Frazier. Nelson. Hughes and Smoot.
All the speeches were favorable to the
creation Of the two States, but the
Democrats favored the house bill.
When the vote was reached there
was a division on the senate substitute
for the house bill. but with that
amendment accepted. the senate voted
solidly for the passage of the bill. The
senate substitute was adopted as an
amendment TO the house measure, by
a strict party vote. the vote standing
AZ TO 10.
AS passed the bill would provide
for the admission as States of the two
Territories. but not until after a con-
stitution had been adopted by each of
them, approved by the President and
ratified by congress.
Much apprehension has been felt
that the bill would lie up in confer
ence with the house, but during to-
days discussion much was said to dis
sipate that fear. Senator Nelson, Of
Minnesota. declared he would do all
that he could do to bring about an
agreement with the house during the
present session. 'T'I do all that can
10 bring 1t about" he said, "and I
think we can do II; we ought to dis
pose Of the matter In two or three
days"
Senators Carter and Borah concur
red In this view. There are two rea-
sons why we should reach an agree
ment." said Mr.. Borah.
OhC - Nihab We "Oh 81 VII
I'll we get II. and the other is that 1t
is getting too hot 10 stay here long"
Saying that he would prefer the
senate bin TO no Statehood legislation,
Senator Bailey declared that 1t would
be some time before congress adjourn
ed IL the conference committee did
not report an agreement.
Representative Hamilton. of Michi-
gan. chairman Of the house committee
on Territories. said that he had no
doubt now OF enactment Of the State
hood bill into law at this session of
congress. He has confidence that the
house will reach the conference report
when made.
Under the bill, as amended by the
senate. II might be two and a half
years before the Statehood bill will
become operative and the house con-
ferees want to shorten the time to the
spring of 1911.
Speaking for the Democratic minor
ity of the committee on Territories.
Senator Frazier contended that. under
all the requirements, both Arizona and
New Mexico were prepared for State
hood. He said that there were esti-
mated to be twelve billion tons of coal
I'm New Mexico. I'VE admit infant
States-not full grown States and ex-
pect them To grow" he said.
Measured by the standard of area,
OF growth and Of wealth. both Terri
tories were entitled to admission, he
said, adding that II would be unjust
further to withhold that boon.
"Are we TO refuse admission to Ari-
zona and New Mexico. because their
admission would mean four Demo-
cratic senators?" he maintained, and
then declared that ne refused to ac-
cept such a report. but II it were true
he would call attention TO the pledge
OF the Republican platform"
Mr.. Frazier advocated the house bill
I'm preference To the senate measure.
lie found fault with the latter and
particularly. because. he said. it un-
dertook 90 fix the qualifications Of vot-
ers In Arizona. lie contcnded. also,
that the requirement that the consti-
tuition Of the two states shall be sub
mlttcd to tho President was contrary
TO the Constitution Of the United
States giving congress power 20 admit
States.