Omaha daily bee., 1884-02-01
VIEW MEXICAN AFFAIRS.

NEW MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
The surveyor-generslship of New Mex
leo is undoubtedly a prize worth contest
ing for, and hence there is a lively fight
going On just now at Washington among
several eager applicants to secure the
position. The contest is interesting to
the people Of this state only from the
fact that Nebraska has for several years
exercised a sort Of guardianship claim
over New Mexico through the surveyor
.generalship. This Office has been filed
for two terms by Henry M. Atkinson,
who claims to be a Nebraskan. He now
calls upon the Nebraska delegation in
congress to again assist him, and give
him a third term. Although il
is reported that our delegation has CON
sented to urge his reappointment, we
can hardly believe it to be true, for Mr..
Atkinson's record is not such as to war
rant u representatives in supporting
him. II Nebraska has any claim on the
Office of surveyor-general of New Mexico,
then let our delegation present for the
place some new man who is capable and
whose integrity is unquestioned. Mr..
Atkinson has been living on office ever
since the close of the war, and can afford
to be out Of Office for awhile.
This matter is said to be attracting
more attention in Washington, and is
claimed to be more important in all its
bearings, than any similar event Of re.
cent occurrence. The appointment, when
made, will indicate the line of the presi'
dents policy concerning the territories,
being the first on which a square issue
is taken, since his u~tterances after
his return from tho Yellowstone. Poll.
ticians assumed to be deep in his conf.
dence insist that he was never more sin.
cere than when he said he desired to
appoint to Office citizens of the territory
to be served. Under former administra.
tions the fact of citizenship of the terri.
tory, a reputation for responsible politics,
and above all, the imputation of possess
ing a competent knowledge of land sur
veying, have been fatal disqualihcations
in n candidate for territorial surveyor
generalship. A general impression exists
that the president will make, in this
case, a very notable innovation.
If this is really true, then 1t is very
likely that Mr.. Clarence Phllcn will be
next surveyor general of Now Mexico.
He is a civil engineer of excellent repu.
%tation, and during the past six years has
been instrumental in effecting the great
est public improvements in New Mexico.
His last work was the building and or
ganizing of the sanitarium at the Las
Vegas Hot Springs, which is admitted to
be a masterpiece of engineering skill and
administrative ability. A consistent and
active republican, he has kept clear Of
those bitter factional fights that charac.
terize popular elections in New Mexico,
and his appointment would be generally
acceptable to all classes in that territory.
Among the other candidates, besides
Atkinson, are Samuel A. Losch, Of
Pennsylvania, supported by Senator Dor
Cameron, and George d. Nichols Of
-
Colorado, backed by Senator Bowen.
The New York Zymes in discussing
the merits of the various candidates say,
the Nebraska delegation really prefe,
some other Nebraska man to Atkinson,
but "would accept Mr.. Atkinson if by
SO doing they could have the prestige Of
the appointment go to their state. Fol
some unexplainable reason, Nebraska
claims a vested right to name the sur
veyor-general of New Mexico. 1t hal
been generally believed that Mr.. Atkin
sob could, under no circumstances, re
oeive a denomination, and his appear
ance as a candidate is a surprise to thos,
acquainted with New Mexican affairs.