Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-02-19
IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.
The Railroad Situation Of New Mex.
ico Interestingly Explained.
NOT BRIGHT FOR STATEHOOD.

The Citizen representative in his
rounds among the lawyers this morn
ing called at the office of Hon. H. B.
FERGUSON, and found that gentleman,
although he had been at home from the
east several days, still busy wading
through the accumulation of CORE
spondence which had been received
during his absence.
After exchanging a few words about
the wonderfully fine winter weather of
the Rio Granae valley, the reporter
asked Mr.. Ferguson to give his views
on the railroad situation of New Mex
leo and he was interviewed as follows:
Without knowing anything specific
the general railroad situation of New
Mexico, in reference to the immediate
future. is brighter than | have ever
seen it before. Gould is certainly 60
ing to connect his Texas railroads with
the Denver & Rio Grande system
of roads in Colorado, which he now
owns, by a railroad through New Mex
leo somewhere.
Both the Choctaw and st. Louis
San Francisco roads are near the
eastern border of New Mexico and
both Enthusiastically are going to the
Pacific coast and both must be built
through this territory.
The Santa Fe Central is certain to
be built and the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe is certain. within the next two
years, to build from Albuquerque to a
connection with it's Texas system,
southwest from this city and reaching
to the gulf
Il have also been told by a we'll in
formed man that the Rock Island road
is not going to be content with a sin
gle line, which it already now has. but
Is certainly going to build branch lines
into various parts of New Mexico as
feeders to its main line.
"On the whole, in my judgment. New
Mexico is on the eve of a wonderful
development of its resources resulting
from the operations of the various
roads above mentioned in this terrific
ry. That all of them will miss Albu-
querque TO sane man believes.
ON STATEHOOD.
Now, give your opinion on state
hoou and the military post" remarked
the reporter.
while my personal opinion" an.
swered Mr.. Ferguson, from a contact
with many personal acquaintances in
both the senate and house of repre-.
sentatives in Washington, is that we
will not get statehood at this time,
ought to state that Delegate Rodey diff
! fers from me and has strong hopes
that he will get statehood. | heard
many compliments given Mr.. Rodey
for the earnest and able fight he has
made for statehood.
| 81 know personally, also, he did good
work for the military post at Albu
querque; but | think the main reason
why we will not get in as a state is po
litical, because the eastern influences
/ now controlling this government are
afraid of the growing power of the west
and statehood for New Mexico, Arizona
and Oklahoma would vastly increase
the power of the west in the United
states senate and they fear that the re
suit would be to break the hold of the
east on the government of this great
country. That's why | believe we will
not get statehood this congress. noI
perhaps for several years to come.
'As to the military post we can al
/ feel absolutely secure. The matter is
/ definitely settled in our favor. and
what remains is only a matter of Sc
| lecting the site, putting up the neces
/ sary buildings and ordering troops
| here, which will, of course, take some
/ time"