Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-01-25
ASKING FOR STATEHOOD.
Hon. G. A. Richardson's Memorial Setting
Forth Reasons for Admission Of New
Mexico As a Stats-Passed by

well, is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States in Con
gress Assembled: Your memorialiSts OF
the 33rd legislative assembly of the ter
ritory of New Mexico now in session at
Santa Fe most respectfully represent,
that
Whereas, BY the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo, made between the United
States and the Republic of Mexico on
the End day of February, A. D., ls4s,
by which treaty the territory of New
Mexico was ceded to the United States,
it was solemnly declared that at the
proper time such territory should be
Incorporated into the union of states
and clothed with all the powers OF a
sovereign state; and since which time
and in accordance with the terms of
said treaty, the great state OF Cali
fornia, Colorado and Utah have been
formed out of said territory and admit
ted to all the privileges and rights OF
the original states of the Union; yet
New Mexico, although as great and as
rich in our as the states named,
has been denied that which under the
treaty might be called her absolute and
perfect right, although a half a century
has elapsed since the date of said
treaty, still New Mexico and the citi-
zens of the great territory, regardless
of political affiliations, seek and de-
mand admission to the great sisterhood
of states; and
Whereas. There are about $50 public
schools in the territory with an enroll
ment of 80, 200, besides various private
schools having an attendance OF about
1000; also splendid territorial institu-
lions consisting of a university, agri-
cultural college, military school, school
of mines and normal schools, each hav-
ing a substantial attendance: and
Whereas, The illiteracy of this terri
tory according to the report OF the
superintendent of schools. has been re-
duced from 46 per cent, as shown by the
census of 1890, to 81 per cent in 1898;
and
Whereas, According to the best infor-
nation obtainable the population OF
the territory at this time is 100000;
and
Whereas, The value of taxable prop
erty of the territory for the year 1898
was fully 500, 900, 900; and
Whereas, Her tremendous wealth of
live stock and the enormous output
thereof yearly into the market OF the
world, amounting to at least 300, 600
head of cattle annually and a million
head of sheep and sixteen millions
pounds OF wool; and
Whereas, Her sugar factories, al
though the industry is In its infancy has
added largely to the product of that
article to the necessities of the people;
and
Whereas, Great progress has been
made in the last six years in bringing
under irrigation large areas of land
which has provided splendid farms and
homes for her citizens; and
Whereas, The outputsof her mines
and the other natural resources OF the
territory are large and almost unlimited
and especially call attention to. the
splendid fruit, vegetable and cereal prod
uct of the territory, the wheat OF New
Mexico taking the first prize at the
Worlds Fair, Chicago, 1893, and the
second prize on oats; and
Whereas, 1t is a fact known to history
that the people of the states and foreign
countries are slow to immigrate and
settle in a country under territorial gov
eminent and that capital is slow to in
vest, being suspicious OF the safety OF
investments in territories; and
Whereas, When the United States
| took possession of New Mexico, not a
drop OF blood was shed nor a shot fired,
but she voluntarily submitted and gladly
came under the authority of her govern
ment and ever since her people have
been ~zealously loyal to the United States
and her constitution, and in the wal
between the states she furnished over
6 500 volunteers and over 1900 militia
to the United States army and not a
single soldier to the ~confederacy; and
Whereas, Your memOrialists especially
call attention to the action and conduct
| of our citizens in the recent Spanish
| American war. When the call for troops
vas made, this territory furnished more
than her quota and about one-half of
Roosevelt's gallant Rough Riders were
enlisted from the citizens of the territory
of New Mexico, and America never wit
messed, and history never recorded,
greater bravery or more splendid gal
lantry Than was displayed upon the bat
tie fields of Cuba by these New Mexico
troops; greater patience and devotion to
| a great cause was never shown than by
them in camp and field; and
Whereas, Wherein in the past few
years there have been admitted into the
Union, states not having more than half
the population and not more than half
the development, with much less natural
resources and wealth than this territory;
the state of Ohio was admitted into the
Union with a population of 46, 1000, and
Minnesota had less than 1000 at the
census preceding her admission.
Now, therefore, BE it resolved by the
33d legislative assembly of the territory
of New Mexico that justice to the peo-
pie of the territory and treaty stipula-
tfons heretofore made, i%mperatively de-
mand that the territory be admitted in
to this union as a state upon an equal
footing with the original states as early
a day as it can properly be done. The
lcongress of the United States is hereby
respectfully requested to pass an en-
abling act authorizing the people of
! New Mexico to form a state govern
ment, believing as your memorialists do
that q probation of a half century to
| which New Mexico has been subjected,
is sufficient time for any portion of the
civilized American people to wait for
full citizenship and equal rights under
the constitution.
Be 1t further resolved, That the chief
clerks of the council and the house Of
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