Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-06-06
JUDGE AXTELL'S VIEWS,
Some Further Review Of the Work OF
the New Mexico Delegates
to Washington,
The Land Court and National Park-sdu-
cationai Lands and the State
Constitution.

Hon, S. B. Axtell, having just returned
from the east, wither he went as one OF
the recent delegation to Washington, a
New MEXICAN scribe called at his COM
Portable quarters last evening and fred at
him few interrogatories. The genial
iurist made characteristic response.
"Whst can you say to the New Mex
ICAS about the work of the delegation in
Washing ton was asked"
81 do not think that l can give you any
additional facts" said he; those mem
bers of the delegation who came home
before me have undoubtedly fully in
formed the public Of our efforts in Wash
ington. What we did is known the re-
suit is uncertain, and at best ] can only
give you my opinions.
"But you nave been a member OF con"
gress, and must be familiar with con-
gressional methods; what is your opinion
about our chances for any beneficial leg
islation ?"
"There is good reason to believe that
some tribunal will be established at this
session of congress to commence the set
/ Element of some of our land difficulties; in
( the first instance, without doubt, to de-
termine simply what is public and what
private lands. Afterwards possibly to de-
termine questions between individuals
Congress has the power undoubtedly to
establish such a court. We were IN
formed that Mexico had called the atten-
ton of the state department to the ne
cessity of some action to fully carry into
effect existing treaty obligations. The
resident, Secs. Blaine and Noble all
seemed fully in earnest in the matter.
and We were informed that Speaker Reed
was also anxious to assist. All expressed
establishment that so many years had been
permitted TO pass without any efficient
action. 1t seems probable that the SEES
sion will be very long one and that Is
in our favor"
"What do you think about a reserva'
ton for public park on the upper Pc
cos ?" asked the scribe.
Everybody is in favor of it, and most
likely it will become law at this session.
No settler will be disturbed, but no future
settlement will be allowed. The tim
Der will be preserved, and thereby
the water supply OF the second most
important steam in New Mexico,
guarded from swift evaporation
1t is very sensible and beneiicienl
bill, and ought not only to become law
at once, but the provisions of the la" as
to cutting timber, should be rlgidly en-
forced. The other considerations OF pre-
serving the game, tourlstlng, etc, are
pleasing considerations in favor OF the
BILL All central New Mexico, as well as
all the people in the rich Pecos valley
. will undoubtedly favor the project. La
Vegas and Albuquerque are fully as much
interested as Santa Fee"
"What about present donation o.
school lands ?"
eve were generally met with the re-
ply; Wait till you become state, OF
with the question, Would not statehood
better settle that whole question:
"Well then, what about statehood?'
: Had our constitution, said the gov
/ ernor, "been submitted to a vote of the
/ people and carried, we would have beer
admitted without question as 1t ID, G
constitution submitted by convention no
called by congressional law and composed
OF members OF only one political party
with the exception of Judge Trimble, wht
is a Democrat-and never ratified by
popular vote, not only gave US no stand
ing, but with the Democrats was posi-
tive drag. If the constitution which VI
offered had been the gospel of Christ M
Democrat would read it, as no Democrat
with he exception noted, helped to make
it."
"What do you think about submitting
it now"
This is leading question and very
Objectionable but will answer at leas
in part My opinion has been all the
time that statehood is not and can not bt
made party question. Ii the Repub
leans alone submit the constitution as {
Republican measure, believe that j
would be beaten. Both parties can no
be brought to unite, except in new
convention. | think statehood meI
are a good deal worse off at Wash
ington than poor boy at frolic
We don't belong to anybody, and no
body is interested in us; We neither
have a vote there nor at the polls in oul
system. We are cipher with the minus
sign annexed To be sure the land cour
bill is matter OF national importance
and so is our park, and we will probably
get them, but we must fix up some othel
pull on statehood before we get in.