Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-05-24

The Chicago Farm, Field and Fire
side is edited by Charles II. Howard,
a brother of General o. o. Howard. He
is familiar with the conditions in New
Mexico and Arizona. having for several
years filed the position of inspector in
the Indian service. Upon the subject of
statehood for the territories he says:
There is a general sentiment
throughout the country that the time
is ripe for taking in these states. two
of which have waited so long. 1t is
hardly a republican system which
keeps people waiting thirty years or
more before admitting them to state
hood. A kind of bitterness has sprung
up among the residents of these two
territories who made their homes
there with the expectation of all the
privileges that belong to citizens and
who have sc many times been disap-
pointed.
1T is not right to make the residents
of our great territories the football of
politics. The questions should be ask
ed: What is the population? Are they
capable of self-government? What are
the natural resources? The two pro-
posed states are rich in mineral re-
sources and as ranges for cattle and
sheep. In agricultural and horticul-
tural possibilities New Mexico also
holds a fair rank. The grapes, peaches.
pears and other fruits of the Rio
Grande valley are exceptionally fine.
No better potatoes can be raised any
where than those of the Pecos valley.
Indeed, the rich soil and irrigation of
this valley make it a garden spot, cap
able of almost any agricultural or hor-
t%icultural possibilities. Both the terri
tories have fine timber; both have
gold. silver. copper and coal.
"A remarkably intelligent class of
Americans have located in these two
territories and are conducting large
operations in mining, cattle raising
and merchandising. There is no sound
logic or sound principle of any kind in
keeping these people out of the Union
because, forsoOth, we fear they viii
elect democratic or, perhaps, republic.
an senators. 1t is by no means certain
what complexion, politically the legis
latures of the new states may be. n
will depend upon the records soon tC
be made of each of the parties. Any
course of the republican party which
will lose to it the vote of Illinois oil
Indiana very probably would lose that
of New Mexico or Arizona. In other
/ WOIub. lltle 10 an lultlll6tul dlN
thoughtful and patriotic population. II
they were convinced that either the
republican or the democratic party haC
dealt unjustly by them or by the Phil
ippines, or had acted with conspicuous
unwisdom on any great issue, the par
ty would be adjudged accordingly ant
would lose votes. IL, for example
there is an evident disposition in the
United States senate to shut them out
now they are so near statehood, be
cause there is no political boss whC
carries the territory in his pocket anC
can contract to deliver it for the ben
eft of this or that party, this would b'
resented and ought to be.
Have we not in the United States
senate statesmen who a rise abov'
mere party politics? The Farm, Fiel'
and Fireside believes that men lik'
Senators Hoar. Cullom. Hawley, De
: pew. Allison, Beveridge, SpooneI
? Teller and many others are capable o
) treating this question of statehood Il
a statesmanlike way and simply in
quiring what is for the best develop
ment of this portion of our country
e what is for the good of the people re
siding tnere?'