Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-01-15
1t Is An Extensive Compilation Of
Facts of Interest Concerning
the Territory,
ARGUMEN? FOR STATEHOOD
Educational Matters, Agricultural and Hor-
ticultural Interests, the Live Stock In
dustry, Irrigation and Many Other
Topics Treated In 1t.

merited praise by the newspapers of
Washington, New York, Chicago, st.
Louis, Denver and other cities. They
published lengthy extracts from it, and
were unanimous in their comment that
1t is the most comprehensive, abest and
best report ever made by the governor
of a territory to the secretary of the in
the first judgment pronounced upon it
by virtue Of extracts from it sent from
Washington is fully borne out. 1t is
not merely a collection of dry statistics,
but a readable and interesting book of
almost 400 pages, that reviews the re-
sources and the progress of the terri
tory. Without primarily intending to
be such, it is the best argument ever
made for statehood. No citizen of the
territory who reads the report can help
feeling prouder of New Mexico than
ever before, and be convinced that in
products and progress the territory
compares favorably with any other
commonwealth in the Union. The re-
pOIl Vail III lJuu Dt lIlt SOlulIlt
of reference to which all questions
about the condition and resources of
New Mexico will be referred. Governor
Otero can well be proud of the volume,
the result of painstaking effort and la
Dor.
The report, in an introduction, briefly
describes the geographical position, the
physical contour, the climate, the re-
sources Of the territory. This is fol-
lowed by complete list Of territorial
officials and members Of territorial
boards. An estimate of the population
by counties is made, showing that the
territory has about 100000 inhabitants,
not including the 25,S29 Indians residing
in New Mexico.
A strong plea for statehood follows,
made upon patriotic, treaty, CONNER
cial and other grounds. A brief history
Of the territory is given, to which is
added review of social, moral, relig-
ious and educational conditions of New
Mexico, which, taking everything in
consideration, are the equal of those
found anywhere else.
The report cites that there is now
1,693 miles OF railroad in New Mexico,
Of which 800 miles was constructed III
1899. The mileage of each railroad IN
the territory is given, with mention of
the roads projected for the future In
addition, a valuable table Of the alti-
tude Of New Mexico railroad towns is
given.
The irrigation systems of the terri
tory are treated carefully and minutely.
The cultivation of sugar beets is
touched upon, and other branches of
agriculture as well as horticulture are
given a complete review, showing that
while great progress has been made in
those branches Of industry, New Mex
leo still offers an immense field for cap
ital and labor as far as agriculture and
horticulture are concerned. Governor
Otero proves that a fair living can be
made in New Mexico on ten acres of ir-
rigated ground He emphasizes the fact
that the farmers and horticulturists of
the territory have a splendid home
market
The thermal springs and climate OF
the territory furnish material for
chapter on New Mexico as a paradise
for the health-seeker, such as is found
nowhere else in the world. The fact
that the United States government has
o1o md poxynr1
as national sanitariums is part evidence
of this, while the opinion OF eminent
physicians and scientists furnish con-
elusive proof Of the above assertion.
After giving description of the for
est reserves, Governor Otero refers with
special pride to the progress of educa-
ton in New Mexico, which in ten years
has reduced the number Of illiterates
in the territory from over 40 per cent Of
the population to 20 per cent. The ter
ritorial institutions of learning are emu
and described, which give evil
dence that to-day New Mexico is one
of the leaders in the cause of education
in the west.
A report or Col. N. >. WalpOle, In
dian agent, is incorporated In the gov
ernor's report. 1t reviews comprehen-
sively the work being done for the In
dians, both on the government In
dian reservations in the territory, as
we'll as for the Indians who have reach
ed partial independence. Progress
among the Indians is slow, but sure.
and with years to come the government
pendent citizens Of their Indian
charges.