Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-12-15
DESERVES
REINFORCEMENT.
Governor Otero is an Ideal Execu-
tive in Every Respect and Was
Endorsed by the People.
WORKER FOR NEW MEXICO.
The Territory is Forging Forward and Will
Soon Be Granted Statehood for
Which Governor 0tero De-
serves Much Credit.
(Chama Tribune.)

(Chama Tribune.)
The term of the present incumbent is
drawing to a close, and the time is rap
idly approaching for the appointment If
a man to succeed Miguel A. Otero as
territorial governor Of New Mexico.
Quite naturally, there are several u.s.
pirants for the honor, and the ambition
of the various gentlemen who seek the
aonor of becoming the chief executive
of the territory is most laudable. The
Tribune has nc word to say against any
of the candidates. No doubt any one Of
he aspirants would fill the high posi-
lion with honor to the territory anG
with credit to himself, but just at this
time the appointment by the president
Of a governor for New Mexico is
fraught with more than usual impoc-
lance, and the fitness of the candidates
should be most closely scrutinizcG.
Their qualifications should be taken in
to the strictest account, and the best
available man should be selected for
the position. This will, undoubtedly, be
President McKinley's course in the
matter. However, a few words aprop,s
If the important matter are in order al
his time.
Never change horses while cross ng
4 stream is an adage old and true.
New Mexico, it is confidently believes,
S now on the home stretch toward The
statehood wire. Within the past two
years the territory has come farther 10
The front than ever before, and the
country at large, as well as congress,
low fully realizes that New Mexlco's
,laims to the rights and e%njoyments If
statehood are well founded and fully
deserved. 1t is the Tribune's belief that
o no other man is due the credit f1r
his favorable condition of affairs so
much as to Governor Otero. During his
administration he has so conducted hii
,ffice that his very act has served to
convince the skeptieal more and more
that the people of New Mexico should
De given full power to govern thenl-
selves and be allowed to throw off the
'estraints naturally thrown around a
erritorial form of government. Not
1nly have Governor Otero's persona!
acts been of that dignified and business
like character that inspire the greatest
confidence in a public official and com
nand respect for the territory OVER
which he presides, but he has SURROUND
ed himself with advisers and assistants
n his official capacity who have car
and whose conduct has been strictly in
accord with Governor Otero's wise and
highly c~ommendable policy.
AT the time President Mckinley very
wisely appointed Miguel A. Otero cov
ernor of New Mexico, the gentleman
vas not an avowed candidate for the
high position. AS is always the case,
| however, there were other candidates in
plenty who We're making a most ener-
getic scramble for the plum, but Pres
dent Mckinley, exercising that rare
Judgment in public affairs which las
won for him the praise of the nations
If the earth, saw beyond the mere as
1%irations of mems political ambitions,
md, taking fully to heart the welfare
of New Mexico and her people, Miguel
A. Otero was made our governor. Ii
vas a genuine case, lamentably few in
politics of to-day, of "the office seek ny
he man." How wise was the presi-
Tents Judgment has been fully proved
BY events of the past two years. New
| Mexico has had the best and most wise
administration she ever enjoyed, and
one which the superior Of could never
be hoped for or wished for under the
present existing conditions.
Why, then, we ask, should we seek to
make a change? No adequate reason
car be assigned for a change. Govern
or Otero is one Of us; he is in hearty
sympathy and touch with our peopl !.
Coming from good old Castilian stock,
he thoroughly understands the temper
aments and the wants of our people,
and to-day, were the question left to
The. decision. of the citizens of New
Mexico, Governor Otero would succeed
himself by an overwhelming majority.
TO those who advocate a change in
the ~governorship. we would say "let
we'll enough alone New Mexico is now
upon the high road to statehood, and no
man in the territory to-day is so ably
and so abundantly qualified to continue
the good work and bring about the
fruition of our fondest hope as Miguel
A. Otero. Let him succeed himself, as
we most confidently believe he will.