Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-10-02
A VITAL QUESTION FOR NEW MEXICO
TO CONSIDER,

A VITAL QUESTION FOR NEW MEXICO
TO CONSIDER,
The determined and venomous Opposi-
ton OF the enemies Of statehood to the
adoption Of the constitution, is having the
effect in congress which might he expect
ed. la Washington it is impossible for
people to understand that this noisy, dis
honest and violent fight against the con-
stitution does not represent a very large
portion of our people. The feeling there
doubtless is that population hostile to
so liberal and progressive constitution
is not truly American and must be dealt
with accordingly.
Bills have been introduced which de-
clare that in none of the territories shall
any person hold any office or serve on
any jury unless he can speak, write and
understand the English language without
the aid Of an interpreter. While this is,
in terms, applicable to all territories, yet
it is apparent that it is aimed at New
Mexico alone.
The remainder of the bill provides for
tIo establishment Of N konrJ of nJ,,no
ton for the territory OF New Mexico, to
consist OF the governor, secretary and
United States attorney, which board is to
have absolute control of all school funds
and public schools, in which only the
English language can be taught. The at
tendance OF all children is made compul-
sorry, and parents and guardians are to be
severely punished for failure to send their
children to school. The speaker of the
house is reported as predicting the
passage of the bill at the next session.
We can not but deplore the prospect Of
such legislation as this, which will work
great hardship and injustice to a portion
OF our people. 1t seems impossible for
congress to clearly understand the con-
ditions under which We live in New Mex
leo, and so long as we remain in the con-
dition Of territory just so long may
we expect treatment of this kind from
congress.
In the address to the people by COM
mittee OF the constitutional convention,
1t was shown how we have suffered at the
hands of congress, and how the only re-
lief we could hope for would be in be-
coming a state.
The Spanish-speaking people OF New
Mexico are loyal to the government, and
orderly, law-abiding and conservative.
They are now to be made to suffer in
consequence of the blatant and cowardly
opposition of few ambitious and corrupt
politicians now controlling the Demo-
cratic party machinery, who are willing
to sacrifice everything to the advance
ment OF their own wicked personal in
terests. The constitution will, We believe,
be adopted on the 18th of this month but
unless the majority is so overwhelming as
TO absolutely negative the idea Of any
considerable amount of opposition to its
progressive, fair and liberal character, we
fear that the mischief can not be undone,
and that our application for statehood
will be received with but little favor by
congress.
The alleged leaders OF the Democratic
party who have been so loud and
so dishonest in their fight against
statehood have done more mischief
and injury to New Mexico than can
perhaps ever be repaired.
1t is evident that there is but one
course open for every intelligent public
spirited voter, and that is to vote in favor
Of the constitution, thus insuring its
adoption by such majority as to
forever refute the charges based
on the performances of Childers,
Ross and Field and the rest that
we are non-progressiye, illiberal, opposed
to public schools and unfit for self-gov'
ernment-charges which are now evil
IDENTIFY believed by many members Of
congress.