Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-12
JUDGE BAKER VISITS OMAHA
Recites Some interesting Incidents OF
P~resident's Reception In the
Territory. ,a.t

Judge Benjamin s. Baker Of the supreme
court of New Mexico, together with Mrs.
Baker, dropped in among their old friends
in Omaha yesterday. The Judge is in nne
form physically and talks enthusiastically
over New Mexico, and especially of its
reception to President Roosevelt, In which
he had a leading part. f'''
IT am fresh from New Mexico; and It is.
all right" said Judge Baker. There have
been many new finds in the gold and copper
fields. The railroads are at work on ex-
tensions and a new railroad that assures
us 1000 miles more by 1904. The heavy
rains and SHOWS insure one of the best
years for sheep, cattle and agriculture for
many years. Large investments are being
made by outside capital in mines, lumber,
stock and irrigating plants, so that pros
perity in New Mexico is visible on every
hand. The territory has a great future. l
think I am safe in predicting statehood for
New Mexico in some ~form-along Jointly
with Arizona-next congress-, from a talk
with the president. 1 think l am war
ranted in the conclusion that he is for
joint statehood for New Mexico and Ari-
zona, allowing Arizona single statehood
after acquiring a population of some 3OO,00
Statehood is in the air and is coming sure
in 1904.
New Mexico gave the president a great
reception on May 5. Santa Fe did itself
proud and Albuquerque's reception was
sublime, and we. felt assured that the presi-
dent was pleased. In front of the speakers
stand. on an elevated and inclined plat
form was a living map of little girls,
dressed in white, each properly located. and
holding a banner OF the state she repre-
scented. In front OF the sisterhood of states
was a rail fence and a small gate slightly
ajar, inside of which stood Uncle Sam
holding a star, and outside a small girl in
white, representing New Mexico, reaching
for the star. This tableaux pleased the
president very much and he spoke Of the
little miss on the outside On the arch
under which he was driven were the words
Roosevelt-Statehood, and between a pic
ture Of the president below. the figures
1904 AS we drove under the arch l said:
MT. President, how do you like our Motor
He replied. There is nothing the matter
with that
I'VE presented the president with a mem
bership card of the Albuquerque CONNER
cial club in the form OF a Navajos blanket.
29x53 inches. / drew the design, selected
the colors and a Navajos squaw wove it.
The ground was a beautiful red the border
OF red. white and blue. with stars, squares
and diamonds, while the center was a large
diamond OF blue, bearing the inscription:
The president, honorary membership card,
Commercial club. Albuquerque, N. M, May
5. ls0S.' l tell you IL was a beautiful d
blanket and when the president said. I am
delighted 1t was in no pro-forma manner.
re exclaimed, By George. It's a real Nava-
Jos; it's the real thing!' In short. we gave
him a splendid reception.
You can say New Mexico is all right.
and / am much pleased with 1t and the
people, and ! shall do all / can to boost
II along. OF course l can never forget the
great state OF Nebraska and my many good
friends here, yet / am eOntented and salts
hed with my new home, We have the
finest climate and incest people anywhere
TO be found. Mrs. Baker is with me. We
are here on account OF her mothers Illness
and may stay several weeks. 1 had a hard
years work. but my docket is practically
cleared up, barring some supreme court
work my time is my own TIL September l."