Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-07-12
NEW MEXICO AS A STATE.
What - Leading Citizen OF the Territory
Thinks About 1T.

Hon. William Z. Hazledine, Of New
Mexico, WAS in Denver on legal busnes:
lew days ago and representative of th,
Republican had with him an interview
in regard to the movement in New Mexi
co toward the organization OF state gov
ernment.
In answer TO a question as to his views
in respect to the sort of constitution New
Mexico should adopt, Mr.. Hazledine said
II think We should frame and adopt g
constitution that would be imbued with
the American spirit OF progress. 1t has
been charged against New Mexico in the
east that it was q region OF ignorance and
superstition, and this erroneous opinion
has had much to do with keeping it out
OF the union. On this account there is a
| special reason why we should frame con-
stitution in the American spirit. If we
presented such constitution to congress
it would meet with the approval of public
opinion in the east and tend to secure the
admission of New Mexico into the union. !"
''But would such constitution correct
ly represent public sentiment in New
Mexico? Might it not be charged that it
was framed merely as device to secure
the admission of the new state, with the
possibility that at some time in the future
Objectionable changes would be made in
its provisions ?"
'lf any such charge were to be made
it would be without just foundation. The
sort OF constitution speak of is the sort
Of one that the people of New Mexico
wish to live under, regardless of what the
opinion of the east may be. This ex-
presses the opinion not only OF those in
habitants of New Mexico who were born
in the old states, but also the opinion of
the leading men Of Spanish descent who
reside in the territory. These men are
American in spirit and sentiment and
they wish the constitution of New Mex
leo to he in the line with the most
progressive and enlightened American
ideas"
"What position do you think the con-
stitution will assume in respect to the
question OF public schools? ?"
II can state my position in respect to
that question, and ! think that major
ity of the delegates viii agree with me.
] expect to be delegate to the conven-
ton that will frame the constitution, and
il this expectation be realized | shall
strongly advocate provisions favorable to
the organization and maintenance of
public school system of the most enlight-
ened character. | have openly declared
myself on this point and my position is
well understood in New Mexico. |
think, furthermore, that the public
schools should to large extent be placed
under the control OF state superintend-
ent, who should be appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent OF
the senate"
"What are your views on other por-
tons of the proposed constitution"
II shall, speaking generally, favor fol-
lowing in some respects the example of
the national constitution. l think the
governor should be elected for term of
four years; that he should, with the ad
vice and consent OF the senate, appoint
those state officers who would be imme-
diately connected with and exert direct
influence upon his administration, and
that, with the advice and consent of the
senate, he should appoint the judges of
the courts for long official terms. Will, |
respect to purely local offices, | think
there should be no departure from the
policy pursued in most state Constitu- |
tons"
"What position will be taken in respect |
to the citenship OF the Pueblo Indians ?"
"They have never been treated as citi- |
zens, and they will, think, be left to the
rights guaranteed them by the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo. They are not suffi-
ciently advanced for citizenship, in my
opinion"
"Wil the question of prohibition cut
much fgure?"
II think not. The experience OF states
which have adopted prohibition does not
encourage other states to try the ex-
pertinent. That matter should, | think,
be left to the decision Of each locality |
under local option law"
"What effect do you think the admis-
sion OF New Mexico into the union would
have upon the growth of the new state ?"
81 think there would be large immi-
grafton from the east. The business out
look is better now than it has been at any
time during the last seven years, and it
would be improved by the organization Of !
q state government
"What is your opinion as to the political
of New AIexico?"
'In my opinion it is Republican. The
will control the constitutional
and l think they would con-
fDl the state government. The Repub-
leans in congress who, last winter, op-
posed the admission Of New Mexico on
political grounds made, in my opinion, Il
New Mexicois Republican and
NOT Dnraonrofin y