Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-08
THE OUTLAWS IN NEW MEXICO.
Troops Wanted TO Hold Them In
Check-What Gov. Lew Wallace
Says About HIS Mission 10 WASH
ingtOn.

Gen. Lew Wallace, Governor of the
teraitory of New Mexico, is in Washing
ton. In an interview with a Star reporter
he said: 81 came to Washington on bust
ness connected with preserving the peace,
life and property in New Mexico. The
military officers construe that the posse
comitatus clause in the army bill applies
to territories as we'll 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 intend
ed that the posse comitatus clause should
apply to territories.
"You want that clause repealed,
then ?"
mo, not that exactly. / would like
to have it modified or amended so that
it would not apply to New Mexico If
Congress will do that, and | can see no
reason why it should refuse, can make
lite and property in New Mexico as safe
as it is in any portion of the Union.
"Why is not there such safety now r
asked the Star reporter.
That is simple enough said the
General. "The southern portion of
New Mexico and northern Old Mexico
is infested by bands of thieves, robbers
and murderers, many of whom are
wanted in the East to answer for crimes
committed. They think no more of
killing a man than of shooting game.
They rob the miners of their horses,
mules and other property. They rob
anybody they lay their hands on. If a
man resists they kill him. The property
and life of no one is safe from them.
When deputy marshal, armed with au
thority and backed by his posse,
gets after them they go over into
Old Mexico and laugh at their pur
sueTs. The latter cannot stay
there watching them and neglecting
their own business. AS soon as they re-
tire the outlaws come back into New
Mexico and go to robbing and killing
again. If | was authorized to call on
the military and get the troops after
them they would soon be broken up. The
troops could not only pursue more eff
fectively than citizens, but could wait.
The deputy marshal could be with them
with his warrants, and | think by these
means that | could break up the out
lawry system of the border altogether. l
also think that can present the case to
Congress in such light that the posse
comitatus clause will be modified Us re-
CARDS New Mexico"
Otherwise is the territory peaceable?''
asked the Star reporter.
NO" answered the General. "There
are Americans and Mexicans as inhabi
tants The American is progressive and
the Mexican tenacious and brave. We
have had several serious difficulties be-
tween them, and l fear there may be
others. l could prevent them if could
use the troops as posse. AS it now is
a deputy marshars posse OF Americans
increases rather than puts down Ameri-
can-Mexican rows. 1t is particularly
desirable now that steps should be taken
for the security of life and property. All
along the upper Mississippi valley and
elsewhere bands of emigrants are form
ing in large numbers to come into New
Mexico next spring. There will be a
perfect tide of immigration in a few
months. Naturally l want to be able to
fully protect, not only the people al
ready there, but those who are to
come in.
''Is New Mexico a rich country in re-
sources ?" asked the Star reporter.
ut is" said the General. Il predict
that in ten years it will be one of the
most prosperous and wealthy States in
the Union. 1t is admirably adapted to
fruit raising Of all kinds. Its mineral
wealth is inexhaustible. 1t contains
mines as rich as any discovered in the
West 1t will be opened up rapidly,
and with the development of the coun.
try will be found resources at present
not thought of.
"You will appear before the Terri
torial Committees of the two Houses in
favor of a modification of the posse
comitatus clause ?"
Yes, l will present the necessity for
such action fully and as ably as l can as
soon as Congress gets TO work again. "