Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-03
The Outlaws in New Mexico,

TROOPS WANTED TO HOLD THEM IN CHECK-wHAT
GOVERNOR LEW WALLACE SAYS ABOUT HIS
MISSION TO WASHINGTON.
Gen. Lew Wallace, governor OF the territory
OF New Mexico, is in the city. He was found by
STAR reporter in the reading room at the
Ebbitt House this morning. He will leave the
city this evening for New York, but will return
with Congress- In response to an inquiry from
THE STAR reporter, Gen. Wallace. after takine
a pull at fragrant cigar, said:-"I came to
washington on business connected with pre-
serving peace, life aud property In New Mexico.
The military officers conStrue that the posse
c0mltatus clause In the army bill applies to ter
fltCrleS aS well as states. We all know that
Political reasons caused the Insertion Of that
clause. The people OF territory do not vote
FOR PRESIDENT. Their only election In any way
national Is that OF Delegate TO Congress. !
do not, therefore, think that it was Intended
territories"
:: lou want that clause repealed, them
NO, not that exactly. would like to have
1t modified or amended go that it would not ap-
ply TO New Mexico. II Congress will do that,
add can see no reason Why It should refuse,
can make life and property in New Mexico as
safe as II Is In any portion OF the Union
LAwLESsNEss AMONG THE BORDRRMRN.
- " by Is not there such safety nOw:" asked
THE STAR reporter.
THAT IS simple enough" said the general
'1he southern portion OF New Mexico and
northern Old Mexico is infested by bands Of
thieves, robbers and murdeferS, many OF wnom
are wanted in the east to answer for crimes
committed They think no more OF Killing
miners OF their hours, mules and other
property. They rob anybody they lay
Their hands on. II a man res!sts they
XIII bin. Tie property and lie Of NO
one is safe from them when deputy marsaal.
armed with authority and backed by his posse,
gets after them they go over into old Mexico
ana laugn at their pursuers. The latter can
not stay there watching them and neglecting
their OVID business AS soon as they retire the
outlaws come back into New Mexico and go to
robhing and killing again. II was authorized
them they would soon be broken up. The
troops could not only pursue more effectively
than citizens but could wait. The deputy mar
shal could be with them with his warrants, and
! think by these means that could break up
the outlawry system on the border altogether.
| also think that can present the case 10 Con-
gress in such light that the posse comitatus
clause Will be modified as regards New Mexico 81
COLLISIONS BETWEEN AMERICANS AND MEXICANs
Otherwise is the territory peaceable?" asked
THE STAR reporter.
Amer leans and MeNicans as Inhabitants. The
American Is progressive and the Mexican re
naCiOuS and brave. We have several serOus
difficulties between them. and fear there may
De Cther5. could prevent them If l could Us G
the troops as posse. AS 1t now is, a deputy
malShalS posse OF Americans Increases rather
than puts down Amer1can-MeXican rows. l.,
Is particularly desirable now that steps should
De taken for the security OF HE and property
All along the upper Mississippi, valley ani else
where bands or eIngrants are forming Ia larg
numbers to come into New Mexico next sprI;ig
There will be perfect tide OF immigration In o
few months. Naturally | want to be able to
lu!ly protect. not only the people already there
but those who are to come In.
NEW MEXICO A RICH COUNTRY.
I" Is New Mexico a rich country In reSources?'
asked The STAR reporter.
lit is said the general "i predict that In
ten years il will be one OF the most prosperous
an0 wealthy states In the Union. 1t Is admira Div
adapted to fruit raising OF all kinds. It's mine
raj wealth Is ineXhauStitle. 1t contains mines
as rich as any discovered in the west. IL will
o ue 0pened u, a. up rapidly, ana WIN tne develop
present not thought Of"
You will appear before the territorial com.
mlttees Of the two houses in favor Of modifi
cation Of the posse comit tatus clauSe?"
Yes, Will present the necessity for such
action fully and as ably as / can as soon as
Congress gets to work again."