White Oaks eagle. (White Oaks, N.M.) 189?-190?, 1895-10-10
STATEHOOD.

The EAGLE has, during the past few
weeks, given it's readers some specimens
OF the Objectionable laws that appear on
the statute books OF New MEXICO. 1t
could 60 ON for many moro weeks and
publish selections Of a similar character
to show how We have governed our
selvos as territory, and in what man.
ner we may be expected to legislate
yhen We become a state. In this the
EAGLE has not used its space for the
purpose Of deriving any amusement from
the airing Of the absurd and shameful
enactments which are permitted to ap-
pear and remain on the active list OF
New Mcxicos laws, but to call attention
to them in order that they may be re-
pealed and statutory enactments. which
shall be creditsble to an enlightened
community. substituted therefor.
II these laws are source OF shame
to our people, that reproach they have
brought upon themselves by their indif.
ference to or participation in the pro-
curemsnt of such enactments. Selfish
moss. corruption and stupidity seem to
have combined to prevent the capable
ard honest men in our Legislative sssen,-
blies from accomplishing what all right
thinking people desired by way OF stat
utory cnactments, until tho whole mass
10 an ENHANCEMENT of Inconsistencies
and disgusting fsroes which eli ought to
joiu in an effort to get rid Of.
There appears to be very little hope Of
doing anything in the direction OF re.
form in respect to our laws through q
Legislative body as now constituted
The later assemblies show no improve
msnt over those Of twenty years ago
Statehood can IN no way improve the
existing conditions, while the sxponseI
OF a state government would be lsrgel,
augmented and our rates Of taxation in
CT leased.
II congress would, instead OF eonsid
ing and passing an act OF admission
discontinue the legislative assembly To-
one term. ct least. and appoint q commits
sion to revise the territotisl slstnics sne
repeal the present laws. we might in ,
few years 60 far familiarizs ourselves
with creditablo legislation ss to bs adj,
to thereafter keep our statute books fro,
from the disgracefui stuff which nos
ensumbers them. Such a commission
should be composed OF men who, no
only know what tho laws ought 70 be
but arc fully converssnt with what the!
nov sre-not only lawyers, but men VIII
are broad enough IN their views TO los
sight OF this or that special interest ol
business anil draft laws which shall b
Gale culated TO build up and sustain sl
branches OF industry on their own mer
its aud nothing 1T the expense of or in
jury to the others. II this commission
we're composed OF such men as s. 1
Newcomb OF Las Cruces. II. l.. Warre
OF Albuquerque. f. A. Fiske OF SAINT
Fe. and A. A. Jones Of Las Vegas. No'
Mexico would, on tue conclusion Of 4,
labors. be assured OF q set Of laws whic
would be credit to the territory and Q
which every intelligent resident nigh
feel proud. Then, II after few year
we were found TO sufficiently appreciat
such statutes as not. by legislation. I
manglo and distort them ont OF all sen
blance OF laws. We might renew our ~
plicption for admission TO statehood !
tho hope OF bottrrieg our condisio
thereby aud with the assurance that ou
standing. in comparison with the oth'
statrs u the union. would be crediiabl
TO us. Let us first prepare ourselves f'
statehood, and then ask Tor II.
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