Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-02-08
EDITORIAL COMMENTS.
Shall We Admit New Mexico?


1t may seem strange that II bill should
be introduced into congress for receiving
New Mexico INTO the Union, when that
territory in October 1853, rejected by
large majority a constitution which had
been framed by her convention With a
view to her admission. But, as Governor
Prince has explained, the fault WAS in the
form of the document and the local con-
troversies excited by it, and not i'll any
lack of desire for the responsibilities OF
statehood.
Perhaps no other territory has suffered
80 much neglect and injustice In various
WAYS as New Mexico. 1t WAS not until
March 3, 1891, that the land court bill
was passed which secured that settlement
of the titles to real estate that had been
pledged under the treaty OF Guadalupe
Hidalgo, forty-three years before. Aud
some provisions in this welcome and
benehcent act, like those OF the eleven
league claims in section 10 and those Tor
the small holdings OF irregular shape,
must still he amended by congress in
order to secure justice to many thousands
of people. Had such legislation been
granted thirty years ago, there is no say
ing what might have been the influx OF
capital aud population there as in Cali
fornia, which was acquired by Us at tie
same time.
Then the claims of New Mexico to ad.
mission into the Union on the score OF
population have been ignored Tor twenty
years As long ago as 1870 she had more
people than the combined territories OF
North and South Dakota, Montana, Colo.
RADIO and Idaho, now forming five states
of the Union and about the time the
first Of these, Colorado, was admitted,
both branches Of congress lad under con
sideration enabling acts for the admission
of New Mexico, but failed to agree on
them. The census OF 1880 showed that
New Mexico had nearly three times the
population of Montana, nearly four times
that of IDAHO, and nearly five times that
of Wyoming. 1t had even then about
twice as large population as that on
which Wyoming has since been admitted
to statehood. The census Of 1890 con-
tinued these strange exhibits by showing
that New Mexico had more than three
times the population Of Nevada, greater
population than the admitted state of
Montana, and more than the combined
populations Of Idaho and Wyoming, which
had been taken into the Union when
New Mexico was kept out.
The resources aud prospects Of New
Mexico as disclosed by the last report Of
its governor further support its claims to
consideration. Its mining industry, ac-
COrding to this officer, has increased, and
the produCt for last year was $1,000, OO0.
"The benefit Of the tariff act upon the
lead industry is plainly seen in all the
camps where this ore can be found. The
production Of silver has bsen stimulated
also. Increased facilities and more eX-
tensive plants have been introduced, and
smelling is now done where formerly ores
were shipped away to be reduced" In
Dona Ana county is the largest known
bed OF gypsum in the world The ruby,
the amethyst, the topaz, and lapis lazul
are found in the mountains. Anthracite
and coking Goals exist, and 1.-The coal
measures aggregate nearly 1000 square
miles" Cattle and sheep abound in the
territory. New fields of gram aud grass
appear in every direction Three crops
OF alfalfa are harvested in the north and
four in the south. Governor Ross once
insisted that the wheat, barley and corn
surpassed in SIZE and weight those Of the
Missouri valley, But perhaps the
fruits of New Mexico are more noteworthy.
There is an abundance Of grapes, while
figs, almonds and pompgrauates are
grown. 1t is estimated that POO 900 add
tional fruit trees were planted last year.
A much increased output OF lumber has
come from the recent growth Of railroads,
which now have an aggregate of ! AS
miles. The Union Paclfc's extension
into the Red River county and the Max
well grant brought into market about 300
000, 900 feet of spruce and pine, and seven
mills cut about 100000 feet of timber per
month. Vast quantities were cut last year