The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-09-01
A PLEA FOR STATEHOOD.
New Mexico will seek Admlssien to the
Union.

ing TO mako strong attempt to secure the
admission Of New Mexico n q stats this ses-
aion, and ~ both houses Of Congress arc
Democratic he has some sanguine hopes OF
success. He has prepared bill which he
will present during the course Of the present
week or at the first opportunity. This bill
provides an enabling act for the people OF tho
territory Of New Mexico, by the tcrms OF
which constitutional convention viii be held
In the territory and the constitution framed
and submitted 10 the people for their ratthca-
ton or rejection. All persons who have re-
sided within the limits Of the proposed state
for sixty days, and are otherwise qualified by
the laws of tho territory to vote for the repre-
sentatives Of the Legislative Assembly thereof,
are authorized to vote for delegates to form
the convention.
An superintendent Of delegates to the con
vention ia made by the bill In strict accord
kBce with the population Of the territory, ~
shown BY the last census. The government IL
authorized to order the election on Tuesday
after the frat Monday IN November, 1894.
The number Of delegates In the territory Is to
be seventy-nve. Tho constitutional conven-
ton will assemble at the capitol on the first
NAouuky VI hbCStlOCEg AooHy Abu WASh 11sS"s7
bled It shall adopt tho constitution Of the
United States and proceed to the formation OF
state constitution.
The bill specially provides that In all the
public schools the English language shall be
taught The constitution shall be submitted
TO the people for their ratification or rejec-
ton at An election TO be held in said territory,
Tuesday after tho frat Monday In April, 1895.
II majority of the votes cast shall be fQr the
Constitution, the government Of the. territory
shall certify the result 70 the president Of the
United States, who shall then issue his pro-
clamation announcing the result Of the cleo
ton and the state Of New Mexico shall then
be deemed admitted into tho Union.
Delegate Joseph is fully prepared to meet
the argur,ents urged against the admission Of
New Mexico on account OF the large proper
ton of Mexican speaking population. lie
says: "Can 1t be said native Of New Mex
leo who renowned his allegiance to the re.
public of Mexico over forty years ago has less
interest In the government OF the United
States, less devotion 70 the republican princi.
pies or less fitness for American citizenship
than subject Of European Kingdoms, who
has within few years left his native home
"Seyentcen years after the territory be-
came part of the United States, New Mexi-
co was called upon TO furnish soldiers to de-
fend the Union. There was no hesitation In
responding to the demand. New Mexico
gave 5000 soldiers to the Union during the
late war, being more than was furnished BY
NIL the other existing territories combined
including the present states Of Nebraska
Nevada, Colorado, Warrington, The Dakotas
Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
| "These troops wcro In greater part com
mandcd by persons Of Spanish descent and
the ranks were filed by the same race, bu
although: seventeen years citizens Of the coun
try, the people Of the territory did not hesi
tate TO devote themselves to the country Al
readily a, II born under Its flag. Numerous
wealthy citizens voluntarily loaned money 4
the government at the C,1toreak OF the war OF
the request Of the military authorities whei
the country had no funds I'd the territory
More than thirty years have passs d since the'
aud yet II Is said the people Of NeN' Mexic'
are aliens
"Out Of a population reported by the en-
sus at 153,593, the popular vote for delegate
was 81, 855, a proportion Of voters rarely ex
cecded, and the more remarkable because Of
the great distances and difficulties In reach
ing the polls in country not thickly settled.
"The dag Of this country is large enough L
float alike over persons Of English and Span
ish descent; the principals Of the constitution
are great enough TO command the admiration
"a Ia ,.---- - sss~..,.- ~. e.
"The people Of New Mexico are as muci
citizens Of tho United States as the people o.
Ohio, Indiana or Illinois. What they want Il
to bc admitted to the full rights Of citizen
ship and allowed TO bear their share OF th,
burdens Of the common defense and genera
welfare. II New Mexico becomes state hel
mines will be developed, her railroads extend
ed, her schools enlarged, and rhc VIII tax,
upon herself new encouragement for pro
grcss. When once the natural resources oil
New Mexico are developed the whole natlot
will wonder why 90 rich a section Of oul
country should so long have remained a terri
tory"