Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-01-24
NEW MEXICO.
It's Fitness for Statehood Sure TO be Re
neutrality-suspicious.

The Hon. L. Bradford Prince, late chief
Justice of New Mexico and the historian
of that territory, is shortly to return to
Santa Fe after prolonged visit to this
state, in which he did good service in the
presidential campaign. AS Judge Prince
is exceptionally well informed regarding
New Mexico and its people, Il representa-
tive of the Mail and Express took ot'ca-
ION to interview him as to the condition
# that territory with reference to state
hood.
In answer to the direct question as to
its fitness for admission, he said: New
Mexico should he admitted without the
eust delay. This is not matter OF
choice or expediency, but of simple JUS
tie. 1t contains 10000 people, Il larger
number than any territory ever had when
admitted, and double the population of
fifteen states when they entered the union.
There il rapid increase, mainly of sub
stantial farmers and fruit growers, and
under a Republican administration the
growth will be even greater"
"but it is said, Judge, that your people
are not anxious for admission. How is
that"
THAT is a mistake. Except some pol
itirians who have selfish reasons, the
people are substantially unanimous for
admission. 1t is true that We do not
make the noise about it that some others
do, but that is because We are not all
boomers" and have more quiet popu-
lation than the other territories. But as
long ago as 1850 New Mexico organized
as state and elected governor and
senators in 1876 the bill to admit her
passed both houses of congress and only
failed by an accident; and years ago she
had convention which formulated an
admirable constitution.
"There seems to be general impress
sion that the population is not fit for
self government that the Mexirans are
ignorant, and that New Mexico should
wait for more immigrants from the east.
Is that sop
81 know there is that impression
among those ignorant of the facts, but
there is no foundation for it. On the con-
trary, 10 territory, unless possibly Dakota,
has anything like so safe population to
intrlst with statehood. 1t is true that
the older Mexicans were largely iliterate,
but that is fast changing. There are l5O
public schools open now, and larger
percentage of our taxes is used for educa-
ton than in any state. The idea that the
Mexirans are not desirable citizens is all
wrong. On the contrary, they are the
conservative element which gives solidity
to our population. The trouble in new
sections generally is that the population
is so tiuctuating and nomadic; fully hall
of the people are ready to rush off to some
new place on the sma lest provocation. The
border American is full OF energy and ell
terprise, and a splendid pioneer, but he is
apt to be over-enthusiastic and venture.
some; and hence comes the extravagances
and heavy debt of so many western
pa,.Ss, In New Mexico the Mexican
op,flation regulates all this. They are
'ell nanent siti1aas,. tfrftts 'rtfetH are the
>S>v1nce wheel in the body polite. The
blending of the two elements makes far
better and safer population for purposes If
sel(-sovernneut than either would be
separately and this, to my mind, is the
strong point i'll favor of New Mexico,
which is going to insure her a most pros
porous future"
"How about politics out there? Is the
territory as solidly Democratic rs stated p"
"On the contrary, it is solidly Republi-
can, and has been 80 for many years.
The present legislature is more than three
quarters Republican 10 each branch. The
Mexican population is naturally Republic
can, and was enthusiastically loyal in the
rebellion. Fora time most OF the "Ameri-
can" immigration came from Missouri,
but now it is largely from Kansas. We
hoped that the Democrats would let us in,
and then find result like in Colorado,
which has been Republican ever since it
was admitted. New Mexico can be
counted rs surely Republican, unless Re-
publican congressman drive us into the
arms of the Democracy"
II don't quite understand that.
thought your delegate in congress was
Democrat. How do you meanW
at is true that tie Democrats have
elected the delegate lately; but that came
from local and personal causes which
would not affect us in Il state. At the last
election the Democratic delegate was re-
turned simply on account OF the action OF
Republi, ans in congress. 1t is pretty
hard for us thus to be defeated by our own
friends in Washington; yet so it is. Last
summer the Republican members OF the
committee on territories made report
against New Mexico that was simply in
famous. 1t brought together all the old
lies of thirty or forty years, and spread
them on the records OF congress Natur-
ally our people were indignant. Mr..
Joseph, the delegate was smart enough to
answer this attack. vigorously, and 80 APP
/ ear as the defender OF the people against
heir traducers. The Democrats fooled
he territory with this report and reply.
We tried to meet this, and denounced
the rel ort in every convention and from
every stump; but We were held response
lie for the sins of our party in ngress,
and Joseph was elected. AT the same
election We swept the territory for the
legislature. Now it looks as if some of
our members of congress are going
to make US similar trouble again
by opposing the admission of
New Mexico. If anything could make |
that territory Democratic it would he ex-
at Republican opposition to
admission. Why any of our congress-
men should he 80 shortsighted, ds " ell as |
Unjust, don't know There ought to be
enough Republican Discipline in Washing
on to prevent Republican members from
opposing the admission of a Republican
state. IN. Y. Mail and Express.
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