Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-08-15
JOINT STATEHOOD.


Delegate Wilson of Arizona and
Delegate Rodey of New Mexico had a
meeting at the latter's Office In this
city last Saturday with a view to hav.
ing an understanding as to how they
should act on the statehood question
at the coming session of congress
Arrangements had been made TO have
Delegate Mcclure of Oklahoma also
present at the meeting, but at the last
moment 1t turned out TO be impossible
for him to come. Therefore, the other
two delegates met and made report
tc him OF their conclusions.
The statehood question was discuss
ed from every point Of view conceiv'
able. and the final agreement between
New Mexico and Arizona is that there
will be no bill for joint statehood OF
the two territories introduced by the
delegates, that II 1t comes at all IL
will be permitted TO come from con
gress itself. Oklahoma and the In
dian Territory joint statehood was
not discussed at all, in the absence
of Delegate Mcclure.
Arizona, according TO Delegate VIII.
son. is unalterably opposed to joint
statehood with New Mexico. Dele
gate Rodey is also opposed to Joint
statehood. but does not go sa far as
Delegate Wilson. and contends that II
the matter of joint statehood for New
Mexico and Arizona Is forced upon the
two territories by congress. and they
can get nothing else, It ought to be
submitted to n vote OF the people OF
the territories. so that they would get
chance to saw whether they will nc.
ceDt 1t or not.
'rhe whole conference OF the dele
gates did not assume to take perma-
nent action, each contending that the
they want.
| The delegates in the presence OF a
few prominent citizens who happened
to be present. entered into arguments
pro and con as TO the merits and dis
advantages of joint statehood. II
might have been well II the argument
could have been preserved. for II
might be useful some time. II GER
tainly was pretty exhaustive. Hon.
W s. Hopewell cvhairman Of the
democratic central committee OF New
Mexico. made an exhaustive argu'
ment from a democratic point of view,
and seems to be of the opinion that
the democratic party Of New Mexico
would have no objection to joint state.
hood. He seems to think that his
party would have pretty good show
to carry the state, and he contends
that there are more democrats In New
Mexico than there are republicans and
democrats combined in Arizona. and
that. therefore. the welfare OF the dem.
ccrats OF New Mexico ought to be con.
sidered. Both he and Delegate Rodey
made arguments intended 10 disabuse
the mind OF Delegate Wilson OF certain
preconceived notions the latter had
conditions In New Mexico. and II Is
safe TO say that Delegate Wilson went
away with his ideas as to New Mexico
certainly much modified. II not wholly
changed. He perhaps found out that
New Mexico Is not hankering after
having ARIZONA tied up with II as a
state. and that Of the two. New Mexico
has the most to lose.
II developed In the argument what a
great state the two territories would
be II Joined. and that there are o
good many things that can he cited In
favor Of It. The delegates had com
plete understanding that they would
work In perfect harmony, and they
now know that the only place the,
will ever disagree is when congress. Il
II shall. undertakes to join the two
territories as enc state.
Delegate Rodey contends that tho
antipathy in both territories now Il
joint statehood Is not as large as II
, supposed, and that there Is Is caused
. by lack OF knowledge and information
: on the subject. and that sixty da,
campaign would wholly change THU
sentiment.
Delegate Wilson was entertained a
Mr.. Rodey's house, with other gentle
men. and left Saturday evening for hi
} home In Prescott He goes to Los An
. geles next week 10 address a meeting
D there on the statehood question. II,
!. impressed the New Mexicans as a mar
: Of ability and certainly Of good com
/ mon sense.