Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-09-21
SPIRITED DEBATE.
Shall the Contribution Go First to Con.
gress or First TO the People
sfNew Mcxico7
Provision for lone Day of Restricting
to Westinghouse Lively Night
Session Ahead,

he judicial article. 1t provides that the
district attorney shall hold under the
present law till the state legislature meets,
SheL that body is authorized to fix Ly
aw the number OF district attorneys,
heir duties, jurisdiction, qualification,
enure OF office, compensation, etc., all
such district attorneys to be elected by
he people. The clause was read third
line and adopted,
The same committee reported also an
article on schedule and ordinance. The
report provides that the constitution shall
De submitted to vote Of the People; pre-
:cribes the manner of canvassng the
vote; stipulates the state officers to be
elected; authorizes the governor of the
state to convene the Legislature imme-
lately upon taking his seat, which legis-
uture shall elect two y. S. senators pro-
vides for forwarding certified copy of
the constitution to the president, and in
fact, covers all the miscellaneous subjects
necessary to placing in operation the ma
chinerv Of the state OF New Mexico when
the people shall have adopted the Consti,
tuition ard congress has bid US enterupon
the new era OF statehood. As to when
the constitution shall 90 to the people
was the question that came up first.
Pending that, however, Judge Trimble
suggested that the motion made by him
yesterday authorizing the chair to name
q delegation to 90 to Washington to fur
Their the interests OF New Mexico before
congress, such commission to lie COM
posed of not less than twenty-five nor more
than 100 citizens, he so changed as to
place no limit on the number so appoint
ed. He said he had been informed that
more than 100 people had already au.
nonnced their intention to visit the
national capital to push the adj
mission of New Mexico this WIN
ter, and he thought the number
commissioned by the chair to act should
be as large as possible, hence his sugges'
ton to strike out the limit. Agreed to.
Col. Prichard offered IN amendment tc
the article reported from the committee
on bill of rights, as follows:
ANY qualified voter may vote agains
the constitution without voting for any o
the officers authorized hereunder, but NJ
one shall be entitled tovote for any o
said officers who does not vote for thu
constitution"
After a short but animated debate thii
was withdrawn.
Mr.. Clancy, of Santa Fe, to complete
the report by filling in the blank in refer
ence to the date of submitting the consti
tuition to vote Of the people, moved al
amendment providing that at the mex
general election in November, 1890, unles
congress shall sooner pass an enabling
act, this constitution shall be voted upon
if congress shall sooner pass an enablin,
act, and fails to fix the time for sucl
election, the question shall be submittet
to the people within ninety days after thu
passage of the enabling act, such election
10 be called by proclamation of tho gov
ernor, to be issued not less than forty no
more than ninety days before the dat
fixed for the election.
Mr.. Clancy said it appeared to be nc
visable that the constitution should b
laid before congress prior to being sui.
mtted to the people; that eXperienc
shows that elections to ratify consttu
tons in advance Of any action by con
gress was waste of time and money,
notable instance being i'll the case c
Dakota.
He thought it much the wiser course t
get an expression from congress first, az
in the meantime every citizen will hav
opportunity TO thoroughly inform himsel
on the contents Of the constitution.
Judge Trimble took issue with MI
Clancy and thought provision should b
made to have this convention adjourn t.
meet again, Mt the call of the chair, ate
congress had considered the constitution
and, if then deemed advisable, the con
vention could decide to submit the docl
ment to vote OF the people at the ger
eral election in 1870.
Gov. Slower moved to amend tn,
amendment SO as to provide that the cor
stitullon shall go to the people tire
months after admission or after the pat
sage OF an enabling act by congress.
Col. RyneIson moved further amend
ment SO as to have this election tax
place ut the time justices of the peace a,
elected, in January next.
Mr.. White advocated the passage {
Mr.. Clancy's amendment.
Col. Rynerson spoke of the necessity {
treating this subject with great precautio
and wis lem. He said there was ampl
evidence that every member was an
bilious to do the very best thing possible
all were actuated only by the highel
motives to the end that the greatest goo
should result to the people Of New Me!
leo. He thought, however, that the pee
pie should pass upon the constitution bt
fore it goes TO congress. lie said theI
was no need of waiting for an enablin
act, and instanced the fact that yer
many states had been admitted by col
gressional action after the people ha
made formal demand by ratlfylng the
constitution. Kansas, Iowa, Arkansa
California and other states had 10 no
assurance OF admission than has New Me
leo, and they had no enabling acts; the
simply formed their constitutions, electt
their senators and thus spoke in dete
mined tones, demanding their rights
the hands OF congress. Col. RynersC
urged that the constitution be submit,
|
. to the people III January next, when Il
election for justices OF the peace is hel
Congress would then he in session, al
he thought the prospects for admissi(
would be greatly improved if the poop
OF New Mexico would make this form
demand first by ratifying the constitutio
He felt that the people would do thi
said the constitution was document Ne
Mexico might well be proud Of; it was
able as any state constitution in the unio
He thought it would receive the unqua
fled approval OF the people; New Mes
cans would not, by voting against it, i
dorse the charge that the territory is I'm
for self government indorse the alleg
. ton that ignorance barred us out of the &,
.. axy OF states, and he said that vote /
the constitution would be vote CO
demniny the ininuitOuS minority reno