Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-06-26
TIRE SOUTHWEST.

In recent years the northwest has re-
ceiveG more attention than the southwest.
Montana md Washington will soon be
admitted into the union as states. New
Mexico and Arizona vii! probably cOn-
tinue to be territories ior several years to
come.
But the future will probably show that
the southwest is Il region capable OF sup
porting a large population. 1t is generally
thought to he more arid than the north
west, and doubtless this is correct dis
tinction between the two sections. Par
tcularly is this true if the Puget Sound
country be iucluded--as ii certainly
should be-in the calculation. The rain
fall in that part OF Washington which lies
west OF the Cascade range is probably
greater than any other part OF the union.
But, generally, the northwest belongs to
the sO-called arid region.
The utilization OF the streams Of the
SouthW est in irrigation is far from COM
plete. There is abundant room for the
investment OF capital in the construction
OF irrigatng canals, and much may be
hoped from the survey which the federal
government is now making for the selec-
ton OF sites for irrigation reservoirs. In
Arizona and part Of New Mexico there is
y summer rainy season, which is sugges-
tive OF agricultural possibilities. 1t resem-
bles the rainy season OF Colorado, which
comes i'll April and May.
The fact that the southwest Is rich
mineral region is, OF course, we'll known,
Gold, silver, copper, lead and coal abound,
with iron in possibly a proportionately
less quantity. Through the development
Of their mineral resources Arizona and
| New Mexico are destined to take high
rank in wealth.
Ali OF which goes to show that the
Rocky mountain region is abundantly
blessed with means which, if properly
utilized, will make it a populous and
wealthy part of the union. The north
west and the central region are better
known than the southwest, but all are
bountifully provided for by nature. Den
yer Republican.
The above from the Denver Republican
is right and showing the proper spirit,
except where the matter of statehood for
this territory Is alluded to. From all in
dications New Mexico will be admitted
to statehood during the sessions of the
5lst congress- New Mexico at a very fail
estimate contains to-day about 100, 00C
inhabitants, it has about $50, 100000 Of
taxable property; its territory compared
with the eastern and middle states is
simply immense its climate is magnif-
cent and far superior to any in the south
west its resources in the precious min
erals, copper, lead, iron ores, coal, tim,
Der, cattle, sheep and agriculture, are
great, and in some instances can not be
over estimated. 1t furnished more SOL
ders to the U. S. armies during the wal
OF the rebellion than any other territory
and, in comparison to population, than
many state did Upon its statute book
are found great many progressive anc
good laws, and it proposes to adopt {
constitution that will prove credit il
every way and will fully demonstrate thu
intelligence, patriotism and self reliance
Of its citizens. New Mexico Is one of thu
richest portions OF the entire southwest
aud more than fully fitted for statehood