Graham guardian., 1901-11-29

thinS puO WV i"iiOSo h'""ouiS VI
self government are cheered to the
echo, especially when they assert
that it was only the beginning OF
liberty when they were permitted
| the degree of government involved
in the territorial form, and that
home rule in the widest and freest
sense is the least with which New.
Mexico would be satisfied.
"The Kansas City Journal, though
a republican paper, admits that
many practical reasons are given
to show why New Mexico is en-
titled to statehood. There are, in
round numbers, a quarter Of mil
ion people in the territory, so per
cent Of them, it stated, are for
home rule-that is, statehood.
More than one half Of the so called
Mexicans speak En- !lish fuently
and are to all intents and purposes
as much American as those of any
other nationality. They are thor
oughly in sympathy with Ameri-
can institutions and are patriotic
and progressive in the American
way. AS an instance of the mater
ial growth Of the territory, it is
stated that fully $4,000 people have
settled t erein since October of
last year. As an instance Of the
patriotism of the people it is stat
ed that New Mexico sent more
men per capita to the Spanish war
than any other state or tertiary
in the Union. As an instance of
financial interest, refuting the
ECONOMY" argument Of the "tax-
payers" it is urged that the delay
in securing statehood actually re.
tards the material prosperity of
the territory, as state offers more
stability and inspires more conf
dence among capitalists through.
out the country. The territory has
$300,000,000 worth of property,
according to the claims of the
statehood advocates, and for these
reasons and many others-but
mainly because the people want
the fullest degree of home rule and
self goyernmentand appreciate the
privilege of statehood at its high
est-New Mexico asks admission
to the Union as "the Sunshine
State"
"The Ne,os believes that the re.
quest should be granted. That is
not all. There are others. There
are three or four of them, and they
should be made free states; regard
less of their p0litiealb AQsplexj91.
But willIAtheyasI l'HhaJ1 sneb u6aS
manned sby trepHbiicans. TO give
them statehood means to leave these
pets Of the party in power to take
their chances at the polls or else
where. There is the rub. Is
President Roosevelt going to per-
mi. it to rub him? Let us hope
not. Similar considerations, though
of the meanest kind, have weighed !
with party politicians of this coun-
try from the first, and some most |
1iscouraging and disgraceful re-
suits come of it. The statement
sent out, that President Roosevelt
lad decided not to recommend the
admission OF these new states,
eads one to fear that the possibil-
ty of displacing certain pets of
very republican member of the
enate is entirely too much for his
strenuosity."
In speaking of the above the
Enterprise says: "One of the most
onspicuous points brought ou t in
ne above editorial is the fact that
he republican Office holders of
Jew Mexico are already sending
ut the report that the people of the
erritory do not want statehood be
ause of the expense. This shows
he treachery of the office holders
ut is no more than could be eX-
ected. If these territories come
ITO the Union, these men will be
-ithout jobs and it is largely their
ernicious influence that is poison
lg the mind of President Roose-
elt and causing him to fagrantly
iolate his own personal convic-1
ons anent the matter.