Evening star., 1902-08-28
NEWMEX|CAN POLITICS
Delegate Rodey to Be Re-
Elected.
HIS STATEHOOD WORK
OTHERS WHO ARE ASPIRANTS
FOR THE PLACE.
A Military Post Site Factor in the
Campaign-Republi Ticket
Sure to Garry.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

LAS VEGAS, N. NJ, August 81. 1902.
The political situation in New Mexico Is
interesting, especially In the republican
camp, If for no other reason than for its
unanimty for the reelection of Delegate
Bernard s. Rodey of albuquerque to Con-
gress
The majority Of the republicans through
out the territory desire to reward Mr.. Ro-
dey for his dilfgent and untiring efforts In
behalf of statehood for New Mexico by re-
electing him. and the leaders from Gov.
M. A. Otero down, favor sending him back
TO Congress, and the republican press Of
the territory is favorable to his reelection.
1t cannot be said that 1t is entirely on
the grounds Of popularity that this unani-
nous desire Is expressed, but rather as a
reward for his statehood work. That Mr..
Rodey left no stone unturned to place New
Mexico where her residents think she be-
longs in the Union. Is recognized by the
democratic as we'll as the republican party.
Were 1t not for this faithful statehood
work it is quite probable there would be
more candidates in the field. There are,
naturally, number of republican aspirants
for office In the territory who have not
been pacified, and with them are new as
pirants who know they stand no show for
preference with the regular organization,
which In New Mexico means the admins
tration forces. These politicians are put
ting their heads together and say that If
Mr.. Rodey comes out straight admin
istratlon candidate they will put UP a man
who In their judgment. can split the re-
publican vote and thus defeat the admin
tstration by electing a democrat. This
clique is small In numbers and its rule
or ruin policy Is not bothering the party
leaders to any great extent.
Lining UP for Rodey.
The party organization, the administra-
ton forces, the leaders, all are at present
lining up for Rodey, though in that number
are many who cannot be classed as friends.
They are simply put ting aside personal opn-
ions for what they deem the party's good.
This Is particularly true in Las Vegas.
Here 1t may not be amiss to make note of
name that Is being mentioned rather
quietly, and on the side-that Of Charles A.
Spiess, district attorney at Las Vegas; a
man who has a following among the ma
tives Of Mexican descent such as no other
American man in the territory has, and a
man who would make an exceedingly strong
race all over the territory were he nom-
mated for delegate. If there is to be a
dark horse" 1t will be Mr.. Spiess. He is
not an avowed candidate; In fact his name
is mentioned only in secret and that by
his intimate friends Should he make the
race he can command the support Of all
factions in Las Vegas, administration in
cluded.
Las Vegas has a number of ''republicans'
who cooperate with the democrats during
city elections. and it Is not impossible that
this following will go over to the demo-
cratic side, especially II the democrats
should nominate a Las Vegas man and the
republicans renominate Mr.. Rodey.
In the selection of a candidate for dele
gate an outside question is likely to be in
jected into the pre-convention deliberations,
and well when the camaign is on. 1t is
the question of the location of a military
post by the United States government.
which has been ordered located at Albu-
queraue, but which has been held up by
Las Vegas applying for the post at later
date. Mr.. Rodey. being resident Of AL
buouerque is. naturally: in favor OF that
city as the site, and he will poll a number Of
democratic votes In Bernalillo county be-
cause of this pronounced favoritism. An ef
fort will therefore be made by the democrats
of Las Vegas in the territorial convention to
nominate one of their men with the idea Of
gathering a number Of votes from Citizen
republicans in Las Vegas. and thus coun-
teract the democratic votes which would be
given Mr.. Rodey in Albuquerque. Among
these citizen republicans are many Of
the hardest workers for the military post
for Las Vegas and it would be little
trouble to get their support for Las We
gas democratic nominee. This post ques-
ton is likely to play no little part in the
campaign this fall. for the site cannot be
definitely settled until Congress meets
again.
Among the names prominently mentioned
in connection with the democratic nomina-
tion is that of Antonio Joseph Of O1o CAL
iente, who has already represented the ter
r.tory five terms in Congress. This, by
some Of the republicans IN Santa Fe county,
Is thought would be a strong nomination.
In Albuquerque o. N. Maron, an attorney
and ex-mayor, is prominently mentioned,
although he at present disclaims any inten-
ton Of being a candidate. In Las Vegas
the democrats, including the "citiZen' re-
publicans, and some of the military post
workers, are mentioning the name of Geo.
P. Money, an attorney, ex-mayor and son
Of Senator Money OF Mississippi. At
meeting of the democratic territorial CEN
trail committee in Albuquerque the latter
part of July the committee passed resolu-
tions declaring that unless minority rep
resentation was given the democrats on the
registration and election board statehood
should be opposed in toto. Whether the
democratic convention will approve this
section remains to be seen, but 1t Is likely
1t will for 1t will be held in Albuquerque
October ID, from whence the resolution en-
anated.
In response to a request from your corre-
spondent to Mr.. Rodey for his platform, he
said my platform will, Of COURSE be the
republican platform of the territory with
statehood as the first and biggest item in
1t. 1t Is my candid opinion that the three
territories mentioned in the omnibus bill
will be states befors the 4th Of March next,
and that therefore the delegates elected this
fall will never take their seats as SUCH
My desire to be reelected Is simply a mat
ter of pride with myself, for 1t shows me
that our people appreciate my work. and 1t
will show Congress the same thing
Republicans Will Garry Territory.
There seems but little doubt that the re-
publican candidate will carry the territory
by large and increased majority this fall,
as an increased majority Is particularly
what is wanted this fall as a convincer to
a doubling Congress, or, rather. It's repub-
lican members. Of New Mexico's ability to
present healthy republican majority, If
admitted as a state.
The republican majorities have been
steadily Increasing in New Mexico for the
past six years. For instance, the republi-
can candidate for delegate in 1898 received
a majority Of 2O83, and Rodey carried the
territory in 1900 by 3,700. An estimate of
5000 majority for the republican candidate
this fall Is regarded as conservative as
the statehood record shown by the repub-
lican worker. Mr.. Rodey. 1t is thought, win
largely increase the majority. There are
twenty counties in the territory, and Mr..
Rodey, last election, carried the ten most