New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-26
POLITICAL.
EEW-MEXICO.

.,or,,,,,,, op A STATE CONsTITUTION-hoVE-
MENT PREMATURE-POVEkIf or lOi YIN
TIoN-REsOURCEs OF THE TERRITORY
W1su1ycroN, Feb. 24.-The fact has been
.,,siod that the Legislature Of New-Mexco has
dopted state Constitution to be submitted 10 inc po
Io next FAN This is doubtless movement OF the pom
,cians for the people at large are unable 70 sustain o
burden of State Government even they were III 70 "
ptrused with it, which is matter OF grave DOUBT re
TERRITORY Is impoverished. Traders, SPECTATORS, and
rp,y contractors have made and are making 'ooys
few ont Of many miners have been toeraby scessul;
nrofessoal gamblers thrive elsewhere a.fow Old
tive families WHO boast the sangrG GsuI have
managed TO keep their hereditF.fy possessions
uretty wei together; but the masses OF the people
are abjeetly poor, squad, ignorant and vicious. Their
scanty crops frequently Anticipated by debts I'M
uroyideutly contracted. hastily disposed Of TO meet
she urgent demands Of a feast OF a fandsngo Many
so mprovdcst that they do not sufficient food
for themselves and families and forced 10 purchase
Mt an adyazce when f9rsRuate enough procure the
means ofsong So the blue as neoessaryfor their daily
tortsHds Snd tole which, with Chill peppers and an
occasional Of beans constitute almost the sole food
of the poorer class OF laorers ana farmers who form the
majority Of the popu,aon. when IL is further con-
sdeRed that they carlossiy hospabe passlohatey
fond Of horseraCing, eock-nghting and gambling III
various FORMS and burdened with the maintenance OF an
extensive and expensive church establishment 1t viii be
seen that they have bu; little spare for the expenses
of a State Government.
The Pueblo Indians arc in reprosperouscondition
than the native Mexican population they especially
IN point Of morals superior class Of citizens but as
they have hitherto been ruled by their chiefs under
their laws Il is not likely that they would Willingly
submit to taxation Tor the maintenance of state Gov
ernment the benefits OF which they will be slow TO per
ceive.
The American population Of New.MexicO Din which
designation are included all white residents not natives
Of the Territory not large outside of the army and Its
followers and for the most part cannot be cassed as per
manent for the reason that much has been attracted
by the placer OF the Cmarron Moreno III Iuerto
&c aud will probably depart with their deeadence The
population Of County, in the southwestern part OF
the Territory depends mainly upon quartz MINING ana
may be considered permanent aud Increasing the peo
PIE OF this country the traders in the larger o"Ds rev
wealthy native families and here and there an American
farmer wOuld be able paystheir proportion OF the
taxes necessary for the support Of state at
this time, although IS not likely that they would derive
commensurate benefit therefrOm.
NeMexco unquestionably possesses great resources;
but ey yet been fairly developed and years
may eapse before they will be. Agriculture is confined
10 the river and creek bottoms where the land be
irrigated with little trouble and expense With an i'm
proved system Of irrigation much larger scope OF
country may be brought under cultivation; and by the
of modern implements-fOr in New-MeXieo the
ground generally TILED with sharpened stick for
plo and bush for harrowbetter crops may be raised
with less labor than is necessary under present sys
ten. 1t is not improbable that in some parts OF the
country wheat and other cereals may be grown without
irrigation but the experiment has not been made and
will he made so long the MescalerO Apaches
permitted TO devastate large part Of the country,
and especially the rich valley of the Meslla,
which, with the country east and west OF it,,
from the Apache Pass Of the Sierra Madres TO
the Texas border they have impoverished by their fire.
quent raids PastOrally, NewMeNico is unsurpassabe,
but the insecurity of fourooed property Formerly
ocks OF sheep raised in the territory and
large quantity Of wool Is annually shipped
10 the Eastern market; but most Of the live stock
Of the country has been gradually gathered in 10y the
Indians and that which remains scraggy and stuned
MineraOgcdy, New-MexicO will compare favorably
with any Of the States territories. 1t contains some
excellent lOdes of gold silver copper ron lead and coal
the last named mineral being found at various points
considerable quantities, and OF both the anthracite and
bituminOus varieties With these advantages, and the
prospect OF the speedy construction Of railroad through
of IT, NewMexco will attract the popu
laton requires for the maintenance Of state Govern
meBt for which it does MOI seem to be yet prepared.