Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-04
STATEHOOD FOR NEW MEXICO.

We have received copy of New
Mexico's memorial TO Congress. show
ing Why that Territory should be ad,
mltted to the Union as state. ltis q
very strong document, although It ap.
pears, In SOME parts to set forth a
rather exaggerated statement OF { ldl-
lions and progress IN comparison with
other States and Territories. New Mexl-
co has undoubtedly advanced very rap
idly. particularly OF late and Is fully
worthy and capable Of receiving tn
rights and bearing the responsibilities
belonging to statehood In the Federal
rnlon But other Territories and States
newly admitted have also forged ahead.
in al the particulars mentioned In the
memorial as reasons for the admission
OF New Mexico
Apart from the statements concern
Ing the development Of the natural re-
sources Of the Territory and its edu-
cational, agricultural, estock-raising
mining, railway newspaper, public
building and other internal interests.
the memorial declares that the people
Of New Mexico have an inherent right
TO statehood by virtue OF the princi-
pies enunciated IN the Declaration of
Independence. Also that such form OF
government was guaranteed to them by
the solemn declaration Of the Treaty
Of Gualaloupe- Hidalgo more than hfty-
three years ago. that both of the great
political parties Of the nation promised,
In their last national platforms, thar
New Mexico should be admitted as
State without delay; that both the
great political parties in the Territory
had SO declared in their last local plat
forms. and that the people Of the Terri
tory are ready and anxious for such nd.
mission
The disabilities under which COM
munlties labor because OF the territorial
system. are Sc, forth very prominently,
and urged as q reason why New Mexl-
co should be delivere from It's realrlc.
,lons, ana given those rights ana priv
ileges which the people Of the states
enjoy. A good point is made, in citing
the fact that Tor more than half cen
tury the Territory has been neglected
~ the nation, In not doing anything
Whatever for The education Of he peo-
pie although they needed help in the be-
ginning quite as much as do the Porto
R.c2ns who are being assisted as to
schools.
The population OF the Territory Is
placed al 100000, with property OF tht
value Of upwards Of ssooO0O,Ooo II is
claimed that 30 per cent Of the people
are born American citizens. attached
TO me principles OF the Constitution OF
the United States. The claims Of the
Territory TO admission have been full,
Investigated IN ~ least twelve Com
crosses OF the United States. ana bills
Introduced for J, iu each Of them pass.
ms, either In one house or tho other
but SO far have failed TO become a law.
The request Is now grown into a de-
mand, and 1t would seem that the cry
Of the people so long neglected should
b. heard. and that every national leg.
lslator from the West at least. should
take an active part in pressing the
claims Of New Mexico until They are
fully granted and freedom shall De en-
joyel by the progressive people In our
noighborIng commonwealth We see
no reason why either Of the great poll
tlcai parties should refuse the boon 50
long desired. or raise any barrier In
the path OF a people VIII are certainly
endowed with abundant qualifications
to enjoy ana exercise all the rights. and
privileges and duties ~ a free ana SOW.
ereign State ~ the American Union.