St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-20
o'BRIEN ON NEW MEXICO.

Chief Justice James O'Brien, of New Mex
leo. at the Ciarendo last night Il did not
think II best to take them with me. and / am
now on my way to Caledonia" Justice
O'Brien lives at Las Vegas. New Mexico. He
said he was well pleased with the territory
and the people there. sOne would naturally
expect to find a people that are SO far re-
moved from the influences of modern civ
ilizatlon," he pursued, zone would expect to
find them bigoted. But this is not the case
not at all. The Spanish are Catholics, but
they look with the utmost liberality upon
other creeds. This is also true respecting
political affiliations. The tendency is
to break down the barriers of both
the dominant parties. They are, in fact IN
clined to personal following rather than
party The New Mexicans last fall voted
down the constitution that was prepared by
Republicans looking to the admission as
state by some 5000 majority. But. fancy
that in very short period, if a constitution
is presented that is acceptable to both and
all parties,i would be given the popular vote.
Blaine is great favoriie in New Mexico.
because of his reciprocity ideas. The people
there have a warm feeling towards their
South American brethren. and are glad to
get reciprocity. And they are pleased with
the Increased tariff On WOOL 1t increases
the profit, and wool growing is one Of the
principal industries Of the territory.
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''The largest individual real estate holder
in the world has his ranch in San Miguel
county. His name is NJ Wilson Wadington,
formerly of New Haven, Conn, but now of
New York. He calls the ranch the Montoya
grant. His supplies cost him $1,000 month,
and he pay his foreman $1,000 year. This
foreman. Michael Slattery, is quite a char
acter. He halls from New York, and he has
so completely ingratiated himself into the
good esteem Of the cowboys that they obey
his every dictate When they have a wran.
gle Slattery is always the arbiter, and his de-
cision is given absolute respect.
-
what New Mexico needs is capital. The
territory has people enough There is no
dearth of professional men and spectators.
but there is great opening for manufact-
ories OF different kinds, particularly such as
VIII work up the wool products, pelts, etc.
AS 1t is the wool is shipped generally to Phil
aoelphia for manufacture. BY making the
raw materials into fabrics right on the
ground, vast saving will accrue in railroad
charges and the like
~
Las Vegas is in San MIGUEL county, the
largest, most populOus and wealthiest in the
territory 1t is as large as Massachusetts.
Vermont and Rhode Island, and has popu-
lation of 240OO people. The people are in
teiligent. and we have number of good
papers, both IN the English and Spanish Ian
guages. Last winter the legislature passed
free school act, and it makes education com
pulsory too. This fact, you know, will soon
prepare foI the admission as a state The
most efficient county superintendent is n
cOnntV-(,harlQS n Rudn1nh-wbo iS
cousin of Mrs. President Garfield. He is
Mexican by birth, however
-
''We have good many notable men in Las
Vegas. andyicinity. ! might mention ex-
Senator Ross of Kansas, who voted against
the impeachment Of Andrew johnson. lie
was governor Of the territory under Cleve
land, but is now running an excellent Dem
ocratic paper, the Demming Headlight Mrs.
O'Brien, who is cousin of Ignatius Don
nelly, lived in Las Vegas some time, but she
has removed with her husband, j. Dr.
O'Brien, to Denver. Ex-senator Dorsey
owns a ranch in Colfax county You re-
member that Col. Robert G. Ingersoll defend
ed him in the famous star route invest
igaton. Well, Senator Dorsey has erected a
very pretty little villa for him. and the col
onel spend some months there the past year.
Judge Emmett. the first chief justice "
Minnesota, lives in Las Vegas.
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''Our city is full of rare relics of anti
The Spanish church of San Miguel was =
about 1916 or 100 years before the advent of
the Puritans. 1t is badly ruined, but walls
have been constructed around it to protect
itfrom further decay. The bell-it is the
sweetest-toned bell, believe, / ever heard
is dated 1440. / have seen the figures brand
ed on the side.''
y :
Justice o Brien reports that the averdure
never presented more hopeful aspect than
now for the season of the year. Usually no
rains fall until August but recently heavy
showers have started up the grass, and it is
pretty sight. The grazing is in irst-class
condition.