Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-28


have met a series Of surprises that
have swept away the last prejudice
they might have held against granting
statehood to these two mighty terri
tories.
This was agreed to al the train
slowed down III Amarillo tonight. after
Il most instructive discussion IN which
II was made plain that the members
Of the party had been keenly observ-
ant throughout their trips across New
Mexico and Arizona.
It was no surprise 70 find the depot
here Illuminated and bonfiras burn
ing In The streets. Flags decorated the
buildings, while the mayor and leading
citizens were on hand with speeches
Of welcome. 1t was d disappointment
10 the hoapitahle people Of Amarillo 70
find that the special could only tarry
for an hour The members Of the par
ty were invited To stay over night At
least and inspect the city.
Reach Oklahoma Today.
But tho inspection Of cities In Texas
lis no part Of the program Of the con
gressmen. There are d score and more
Of cities and villages in the thriving
territory Of Oklahoma waiting for in
spection. For days the residents Of
these towns have been awaiting the
arrival Or the congressional party o.
morrow,
This was explained 10 the enthusi-
astic welcomcrs At amarillo, and after
an hours visit the special pulled out
II tho train III on time Il viii reach
Oklahoma city the metropolis Of 0Ila
homa. IL $50 o'clock III the morning
At Roswell. where the members 81.
the party bade farewell for the pres
ant 70 tho hospitahla people Of New
Mexicn. the guests or Congressman
Hearst we're rendered i welcome that
made them loath TO leave this pretty
city. this pearl Of the Pecos valley
with lis $500 inhabitants.
Roswell Is Inspected.
The ride from Pecos northward to
Roswell prepared the visitors for hear
ing Roswell spoken Of as tho Pearl Of
the pecos Valley. II Is. indeed. a
wonderful valley. with It's fertile frnit
farms, It's great stock ranches and rs
wealth of agricultural products.
Roswell Is situated only 4 short dis.
fancc from the pecos river. II has
broad. welLkept streets, shaded by
large cottonwood trees, d military IN.
%stitute. several fine hotels and other
public buildings.
Irrigation has made Of the surround
ing country a fruitful land. Fruit o.
all kinds Ii grown IN large quantities
Along the banks of the great Pccos
river are famous forest reserves ~
t3l.oi0 acres, The farm property Of
New Mexico, especially In this section,
has trebled In value since 1899.
The trip OF the congressional party
through Arizona and New Mexico
aroused the people everywhere the
train stopped TO the highest pitch Of
enthusiasm The mission OF the party
was well known Tho people every.
where We're ready for the test Of judy
mcnt. They were ready 10 prove that
they had kept abreast Of the times
in every respect ready 10 show that
the territories of Arizona and New
Mexico had more population. more In,
ternal wealth and better educational
facilities than those Of many Of the
present states ii the time ~ their al.
mlsston g The Union
In Arizona especially has The con
s1NfNt1tAt A6Nl nN0ANhANl At HN1tMN y
ambition 8 push their claims for Tho
rights 81 statehood
congfossman Hearst Is u great "a
yprite among the people 81 TIE ereat
southwest and his many acts II oaar
is haze ma, hiin oue II fhe
ino@n hgnres ui tae west Il il prob
able that b. man could come 10 Ari
Q4na Who would be more enthusiastic
ally fecclsed Of who could make a
more Profound Impression upon the
II Is doubtful II anS party over came
q Arizona thai was received amid a
slcccssion 81 - many notable osatlons
us the llearst party had been.
Douglas Ia Arizona Is one 81 the
phenomenal cities Of the great south
west. From a tent town q two years
go II has grown to a city Of 5000.
Business blochs Of brick and stone and