Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-01-21
AN UNSPEAKABLE OUTRAGE
A Western Republicans View of
Speaker Reeds Stand Against
the New States.
IMPERTINENT, UNJUST INTERFERENCE
The Meddlesome Man from Maine
Tramples Our Rights Under
Foot-A Strong Pro-
test.

Under the caption 'Arizona and New
Mexico" the Denver Republican at hand
this morning prints an editorial reading
as follows:
SIT seems to be a fact that Speaker
Reed has dete rmined that neither Ari.
zona nor New Mexico shall be admitted
by the present congress. He has the
power to defeat bill for their admission,
and he is disposed to exerc ise it so as to
prevent any addition to the silver strength
in the senate.
"Thus it appears that the people of
these territories are to be deprived of one
of their rights as American citizens be.
cause their views on an economic ques-
tiou do not accord with those entertained
by certain element in the east. If this
is not ostraoism on account of political
1t is cardinal doctrine in this country
that all political opinion shall be free and
that no man shall be deprived of his
rights as a citizen because of his views
on political questions. But the east has
set as'Ae this doctrine and in its stead
has placed the theory that what 1t does
not approve of in the west the west cen
not have.
"sELr GOVERNMENT
is the cornerstone Of all American pollti-
cal rights. 1t is the central idea of the
declaration of independence. 1t was
against its denial that the colonies
rebelled and repudiated the authority of
England. A community governed as
subject province is ruled in conflict with
this fundamental theory, and such case
presents departure from American prin-
ciples which only extraordinary circum-
stances can excuse. A territory is sub
ject province of the federal government,
and territorial government can be justi-
fed only SO long as the population and
wealth of the community are not sufficient
to maintain state government. A terri
tory is framed with view to
STATEHOOD AS ITS GOAL,
and as soon as local conditions render it
practicable to maintain state govern.
ment the authority of government should
be withdrawn and that of the inhabitants
of the territory established.
"When territory asks for adm ission,
it asks that its people be accorded self
government, which is the dearest of all
American political rights. Apart from
questions of state sovereignty and con-
stitutional construction there would be
as much Justice in depriving American
citizens living in Maine of this right as to
deny it to those who live in Arizona. A
citizen living in Arizona has as high
virtue Of his citizenship as one living in
Maine, aud the latter is lot justified in
willfully taking advantage OF more
fortunate position to prevent the Ari-
zona man from exercising his right.
THE POLITICAL VIEWS
of Maine man are no more entitled to
shelter under the law than those of citi-
zen living in Arizona or New Mexico.
"But Mr.. Reed and other citizens of
eastern states presume to say whether
the right of self.government shall be
withheld or granted to the people of Ari-
zona and New Mexico, according as the
latter agree or disagree with them in
political opinions. It is both impertinent
and unjust. 1t is meddling in matters
with which the citizens of eastern states
have no or at best but very remote in
terest. II some Democrat in congress
should use his power to prevent
THE ADMISSION OF A NEW STATE
bee ause the senators it would send to
Washington would favor protective
tariff, Mr.. Reid would think such inter-
ference gross outrage. But it would be
no more 80 than his refusal to let Ari-
zona and New Mexico come in because
the people of those territories favor the
as we'll understand now as later that
such action on his part makes the people
of the far west all the more determined
that if they can prevent it he will not cap
ture the presidency"