Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1911 — Statehood For New Mexico and Arizona Voted by U. S. Senate. [ARTICLE]

Statehood For New Mexico and Arizona Voted by U. S. Senate.

Washington, D. C., Aug. B.—Tbe bill granting statehood to New Mexico and Arizona, legislation that has been for many years the dream of the people of these territories, was passed by the senate tonight 53 to 18, after rejection of the Nelson amendment which proposed striking out of the Arizona constitution its Judiciary recall provision. The bill as passed by the senate differs only slightly from the house measure, and it is said, may be unsatisfactory to President Taft. He has contended all along that he would be glad to sign the statehood bill if the Nelson amendment prevailed, but that it was a grave question whether he would be willing to sign it if the amendment were defeated, as it was today by 43 to 26. The indications tonight are that the bill will become a law without his signature. Practically all the debate on the bill centered around the Nelson amendment. Even some senators who declared their opposition to the recall of judges voted against the amendment, on the ground that if the people of Arizona desired recall as part of their system of government it-was for them and not for congress to say whether they should have it.