Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-07-02

had no vote; and further, that in nearly
all OF them, the proportion of aliens was
far greater than in New Mexico. Thus
in Missouri there were over 10, 900 slaves
in Florida, over 25, 900, and in Louisiana
over 1000. When these numbers are
deducted, it reduces the self'governing
population quite materially.
So it is evident that there Is now nc
reason, on the score Of lack OF sufficient
population, for depriving the people Of
New Mexico Of the ordinary rights of citi-
zens. On the contrary it has more popu-
lation than Idaho and Wyoming COM
bined, considerably more than Montana,
nearly or quite four times as much as
Nevada, and really $1,000 more than
Delaware.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH.
The next question is whether the value
OF taxable property is sufficient to support
state government. Ii not, that might
be valid reason for longer delay, Bnt
we find that the assessed valuation of
property in 1891 was $45,329, ,563. This
ls much larger than that of many other
territories at the time Of their admission.
The valuation of the last two states, for
example, was as follows: Idaho, $685.
10000; Wyoming, $3l 100000 The
credit OF New Mexico is excellent, not
withstanding the prejudice against terri
torial securities in the financial centers.
The only bonds issued during the last four
years were 1926, 900 for the completion of
the insane asylum, and although there
was some question as to their being in
excess of the limit established by con-
gress, yet they sold for 1861. Since
July, 1889, the territory has been gradual
ly redeeming and cancelling its outstand-
ing penitentiary bonds, to an amount be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000. These were
bought at the lowest offers, after thorough
advertising, and yet We have been COM
PEELED to pay from 107 to III per cent for
them.
RESOURCES.
The resources of the territory, as the
foundation Of its ability to sustain its own
government permanently, are properly a
matter for inquiry. And on this subject
we may make the broad assertion that
New Mexico is endowed with greater
natural resources and in greater
variety than any other state or
territory in the Union. This prob.
ably eounds extravagant, and may
be considered as specimen of western
hyperbole, but while it is bold state
ment, it is made with an entire spprecia-
ton OF its full significance, and is well
and deliberate. Let me repeat
it. No single state or territory embraces
within it's borders the variety and extent
of natural resources, which exist in New
Mexico. Only ono approaches it, and
that is California; and the possession of
almost limitless beds OF coal, both
bituminous and anthracite. give New
Mexico superiority even over that
favored state. If space permitted, it
would be easy to show the truth of this
general statement. As it is, l must refer
to more extended documents, which will
be supplied with pleasure, for the par
tlculars.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
No territory Las ever erected so many
public buildings or possessed 80 much
public property as New Mexico. Without
the slightest aid from the national gov.
eminent, it has built most beautiful
capitol, substantial penitentiary, and
more recently an insane asylum, uni
versity, agricultural college and school OF
mines. All these latter structures are
more than creditable, they are sources Of
pride and qualification and they are paid
for from taxation without the incurring
Of any indebtedness, except the sum OF
$25, 900 to complete the insane asylum.
In nearly every western state the institu-
tions Of a similar character have been
erected wholly or in part by grants OF
land made at the time Of their admission,
but New Mexico has not waited for such
assistance. In addition to the above,
more than half of our counties have
erected commojious and elegant court
houses Of stone or brick, within the past
ten years.
1t seems strange that with all these
facts in her favor, New Mexico should
have been SO long deprived If statehood.
1t would be foolish to ignore the fact that