The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-16
E..ts TO Cut Off Portion of Texas So
she May Be Large Enough for State.
d, ICE TO BE GRABBED INCLUDES Ell PAso
- citizens of that Favor 1t, but Majority Are Well
= satisfied--Texas Legislature Asked to Protest
Against the Scheme.

is less crime committed In New Mexico
than there Is in other States of the Union.
Many people regard with horror the al
legged murder of the late Colonel A. j..
Fountain and say he was murdered for
political ends; citing that case as draw
back to annexation | regret to say
am inbued with the idea that Colonel
Fountain was murdered to accomplish a
political purpose, but remember that
accidents VIII happen in the best regu-
lated families and the rule repeats it.
self in the government as we'll.
"Thet, however. is no reason why the
annexation should fail Some years ago.
murder very similar to that OF Colonel
Fountain WAS recorded In the annals Of
the criminal history of FL Faso--the muir
der of Hon. e. n. Ronquilio. Why should
we bring that as one reason against an
nexing to New Mexico?
II have spoken to many prominent New
Mexicans and they all seem TO be in favor
OF the move. l would like TO see the
annexation come soon. ] am in favor Of
1t. 1t would be grand thing for all, but
in spite Of being an ardent believer in
annexation. ] must admit that | look upon
the move as New Mexico Texan imlos-
,sibiity.'
"A TeXan's View of 1t" is also pre-
scented by the Herald.
Texas will never cede one foot of her
territory" said Judge W. S. Smallwood.
In my opinion agitation of the annexa-
tien scheme is useless, for Texas would
never agree to it.
Texas glories in her length and breadth
and above all things else she is proud of
her size
DO you think that the people of
this part of the State would favor an
neXation, provided III Paso was made the
capital of the new State?n
No, | do not There is so far as 1
can see no benefit to be derived in that
way. Whenever a city is made the capt.
tai of State it Immediately becomes a
commercial nonentity. The capital of
nearly every State in the Union is COM
merclally dead while some other town
elase by has hecome the metropolis"
How do you account for that
Il do not know why it is unless the
State capital always fills up with tritiing
Office seekers, politicians and persons de-
pendent upon the State for a living, and
you are devoid of self-reliance and en-
terprise. Such men Kill any town and
they usually congregate at the'State capt.
tai.
No. think if annexation took place
Ell Paso had better not awake Santa Fe
from her Rip Van Winhle slumbers by
taking the capital away from her. LIE.
the state house stay where 1t is, for ir
is yoodoo TO business"
The III Paso Times presents number
of interviews ON the same subject.
Yesterday Times reporter called on
a number of business and professional
mo nF oil IN
on the matter BY far the greater part
of those seen declared that they thought
it good thing for the interests OF FL Paso,
but thought there was absolutely no chance
whatever of securing the consent OF Texas.
Some of them when asked replied that
they had never given tho question a mo-
ment's thought and considered 1t so wild
and impracticabe that they preferred to
express no opinion on the matter.
"Texas would never consent said C.
C. Keter, Though, of course, if Ell Paso
were made the capital it would be a good
thing for this city. However, this would
never be done. They should never put the
capital of a State at its extreme southern
corner as Ell Paso would be in the pro-
posed new State"
f. C. Pew said: 1T would BIO II fine
thing for Ell Paso, but Texas will never
let CO.
Said r. G. Lightbody: 81 am heartily
for us. We have nothing in common
with the eastern portion of the State.
When asked il he thought II possible
to obtain the consent of Texas, Mr. Light
body replied: THAT would be a very DIFF
fcult matter. But nevertheless l anu in
Among the professional men opinion
seemed TO be more divided
john D. Bryan was one of the first seen
as being late resident OF Southern New
Mexico.
1T would be splendid Thing for both
New Mexico and Ell Paso,' he said. AN
al Paso's business and trade is with New
Mexico. and we are completely isolated
from the rest OF Texas.
ut would make very fne state, rich
in minerals, cattle and every line of agri-
cultural products.
"A good idea continued Judge bryan'
picking up a map and indicating the line
to be followed, "wodld be to extend the
eastern line OF New Mexico south TO the
Pecos and then follow that 10 Rio Grande.
This would give us FL Paso, Brewster,
Reeves, Preside, Jen Davis anu isSS9
counties in Texas. Then take, say, Dona
Ana. Sierra, Grant, Otero Lincoln, Chavez
and Eddy counties from New Mexico ana
we would have State to be proud OF,
This would make FL Paso the capital ana
give us great political power whereas now
we are O mere cipher.
II think" said Judge Bryan in answer
TO q question, that the people OF South-
ern New Mexico would favor It, think
there would be no opposition 10 the plan
there" -
A. G. Foster was present during the
latter part of the above interview ana
expressed his concurrence in the views
of judge Bryan.
.The whole thing is simply an utter Inn
possibility. and 1t Is waste OF time 10 ASK
about IT. said Willard Patterson.
"Just excuse me from New Mexico,
am satisfied to remain in Texas replied
Judge Buckler
Judge Falvey and Judge Edwards also
declared themselves against the plan
Postmaster Campbell said: u am q ma.
tive born Texan, but / am willing 70 eu'
loose from the State and cast my 10Y ~
New Mexico and take chances on I'll paso
heing made the capital, We have noth,
ing In common with the eastern part %
Texas. we even syealppf \ as down IN
Teyas.' OF course. II was living Gown
,bere would not hear Of II; probably lht
fellows down there will see It Just tna'