The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1896-06-13
STATEHOOD FOR NEW MEXICO.

Delegate CatrOn'H ReasOn'H Why
the Territory Should BE Admitted.
Washington, June 9.-Delegate Catron
of New Mexico has reported to the
house the territories committee the bill
for the admission Of that territory to the
sisterhood of states. Accompanying
the bill is a report submitting reasons
wwhy New Mexico should be admitted
into the union. This report reviews the
financial condition of the territory,
speaks Of it's resources, based on fig
ures of the last census, assumes that
the population is not less than 200. 900,
and recalls that as far back as the
Forty-third congress bill for admis-
sion passed both houses. The senate,
however, made amendments to the bill
at the time and 1t reached the house too
late in the session to secure action on
the amendment.
The report declares that the people
desire statehood and the territory has
persistently demanded it; says the pas
sage of the bill is demanded by both po-
litical parties; then argues that there
appears no reason why congress should
longer delay admission. Under the most
adverse circumstances, subjected to the
incursiOns of hostile Indians. until a
comparatively recent date. and with for
eign capital forbidden to invest in real
property in the territory, continues the
report. has shown the world capacity
to progress and she has advanced much
faster than the average ratio of prog
rcss in the United States in every ma
tcrial particular since annexation. 1t
is confidently submitted that New Mex
leo has resources sufficient to guarantee
a stable and substantial state
Five members of the committee have
united in n minority report opposed to
the passage of the bill. Apart from the
general objection to the admission Of
territory as a state is, the minority says,
the specific objection to the pending
bill. that it provides for the election Of
a member Of congress. state officers and
legislature. which shall two United
States senators before the adoption of a
constitution, the organization of state
government and the determination Of
the rights of citizenship and suffrage
under the organic law. The growth Of
the population Of New Mexico in num-
bers has not been. in the minority opin-
ion. such as togive promise Of any great
increase in the future. The report also
asserts that If the power Of the general
government were removed 1t Is almost
certain the territory would invite the
lawless and depraved, and it would be
impossible to execute the law.
And when 1t is further considered
that the people themselves are not ho-
mogenous. but are made up of Mexi-
cans, Indians. half-breeds, and the bal
ance Americans in abo,s1 equal propor-
tions, it would not even be certain that
would make wise laws, or would or
enforce them IL they were made.
The minority also say that undoubt-
edly the events of the past few years
have called the attention of the Ameri-
can people to the senate and to the rep
rescntation in that body Of the states
irrespective of their populations. Any
step which adds to the membership OF
that body, so influential in legislation,
1t declares, should be taken with the
greatest care and ieliberatfon