El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-11

proving the constitution of New Mex
leo, was presented for the approval Of
the senate, and only that little piece
Of legislation remained to make New
Mexico a state.
Senator Bailey made a speech favor
ing the adoption of the resolution ap-
proving New Mexico's constitution, and
it was not until senator Owen rose,
that any opposition developed. In fact,
it looked like sure go. until the Okla
homan started to talk. He did not
leave them long in doubt, however, and
his fixed determination to have them
both approved or neither remained
mistaken until but half an hour re-
manned of the sixty-first congress, ex-
cepting a two hours recess from to
a. m. but that was taken with owen
occupying the floor, and under parlia-
mentary law, he had the floor when
the senate reconvened.
His position was that representa-
tives of the special interests, as he
characterized the regular or standpat
Republicans, would not object to the
New Mexico constitution being ap-
proved because it would in all proba-
bility bring two more Republican SEN
ators. TO the sfxty-second congress, but
Arizona they would oppose because It
would probably send two Democratic
senators. or at least two very progress
sive men, men elected by the popular
choice, and in accord with the Ari-
zona- constitution. He said the Arizona
constitution was a model for a popular
form of government and represented
a trend of affairs in national life
which was being adopted in many
states. He stated that he thought the
present as good a time as would ever
come to scatter enlightenment among
the senators and the country at large
because popular government was at
tracing more and more attention
among all the people Then he pro-
ceeded to give the, history of the ref
erendum, initiative and recall, not
only as found in the Arizona constitu-
ton. but as it has been adopted by
other states and its practical operation
in California and Oregon.
Flag of Truce.
Time wore on, and when but about
an hour of the session remained, the
Republican leaders went UP in the air.
A hurried conference was held between
senators Hale, Carter McCumber, Bur-
rows. ard others of the finance COM
mittee, and as q result senator Car
ter stepped to the aisle between the
two sides Of the house with a flag of
truce.
lie proposed, and he said he had the
authority from the Republicans to do
it. that the joint resolution approving
the New Mexico constitution be
amended to include Arizona: that the
senator yield the floor long enough
for vote to be taken on the PROPOSE
ton, and that If it did not pass sena-
tor Owen would be regarded as never
having surrendered the floor and could
speak till the. session expired.
At this time, had he yielded, there is
70 doubt in the world that the amend
ed resolution approving the two con-
stitutions would have carried. Bailey,
Hepburn, and perhaps one Of two 9TH
ers voting, against it on account of
being opposed to the referendum and
recall.
The senator. however, was flushed
with victory. and would not accept this
overture He stated, however. that If
he could be assured that the amended
resolution would pass both the house
and senate. he would withdraw from
he floor, he being allowed to hold the
'loor, however, while the bill was being
roted on by the house. so that in case
{ did not pass he could hold the floor |
until the session expired. and thus pre-
rent the final approval of the sundry /
civil appropriation bill.