Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-08-08
FAMOUS HAND SHAKE.
Il Prevented Statehood Under The
Elkins Act In 1876.
INCIDENT RECALLED.

"
younger element of politicians and
other people who take an interest in
such matters that New Mexico would
have been admitted to the galaxy OF
states twenty-seven years ego but for
most unfortunate mistake of the
chief promoter" said DR.. q. w. Har-
rison Of Albuquerque at the Adams
last night. says the Denver Republi-
can. He is in the banking business
IN that city. and regrets that efforts
ever since that fatal error was made
have proven futile and New Mexico
remains a territory.
1--WE are tired OF carpet bag govern
ment." he frequently and emphatical-
" declared during the course OF an
ANALYTICAL discourse on the conditions
OF the commonwealth of his adoption
POLITICALLY and industrlally.
statehood would send us along the
road TO progress more rapidly than
any state in the west" he continued.
but statehood depends on the actions
OF people outside the territory.
AS said before, II was a most re-
gretable incident In congressional life
THAT prevented statehood long ago.
Possibly no more remarkable and ex-
Extraordinary occurrence has ever been
chronicie6 in che history OF Legislation
at Washington that. being so slight
/ in itself. had 30 far reaching an ef.
! ct on any people OF given section.
"1n 1876, when James G. Blaine was
speaker OF the lower house. Stephen
p. Elkins. now United States senator
from West Virginia, was delegate To
ccngress from New Mexico. He was
an ardent and interchangeable worker
for statehood. His efforts were about
to be crowned with success. too. when
expectedly.
"Elkins at that time even was q
good speaker, but he never attempted
q forensic effort without careful prep
aration. On the day that he Numbered
so seriously he was In one OF the CLOAK
rooms OF the house printing himself
on a speech TO be delivered on state
hood.
suddenly one OF his congressional
acqualntances came In the room ant
said: 'Elkins. Burroughs Is through
go and congratulate him Burroughs
was servinv In congress then from
Michigan-the same man who is nov
senator from that state. Elkins
without knowing what Burroughs hat
been talking about on the floor OF th'
house. complied with the request o.
his acquaintance. and leaving thu
cloak room found Burroughs and II
the presence OF many congressman
shook hands with him and warmly OK
pressed appreciation OF what he ha'
eaid.
"Elkins' statehood bill had UeeI
passed by the house. amended by m,
senate, and was back In the house 10
concurrence In the senate amendment
Speaker Blaine had agreed to ALLOW
clkins to call II up and speak for IL
passage Immediately following Bur
coughs address.
Burroughs had delivered. however
fiery attack against the south and II
methods OF conducting political al
FAIRS. which the southern congress
men resented bitterly.
when they recognized an apparen
Endorsement by Elkins OF Burroughs
Opinions he. too. was classed with on
Df the south's enemies. The south
erners had previously promised d
Support Eiklns' bill but In revenge 20
his sympathy with Burroughs the
voted against II and II failed OF pal
sage by three votes.
His one handshake with Burrough
was the cause of II. and that hant
shake went down in history as one {
The most costly on record in Amer
Fan politics.
"EIkins drifted out OF New Mexic
hnd eastward because his business q
railroad man took him there, but h
has always been a consistent adv
rate OF New Mexico Statehood. TIL
prime obstacle In the way OF II toda
q The upper house OF congress.
he senate was satisfied that Ne
Mexico would send two republlca
kenators In the persons OF Delegai
B. 8. Rodey and w. II. Andrews. an
hat the new state would remain r.
publican for many years To com
statehood would he possible in III
immediate future.
"But there are doubts In the sena'
hat the republican party would pr
gail. II Is certain that were populf
fote taken Rodey and Andrews woul
be elected senators.
The territory Is prosperous as st
AN be. hampered by carpet-bag go
rnment Albuquerque Is CROWN
apidly sae has 10000 population no
rhe territory Las far more requisit,
or statehood now than fourtee
tates had when they were admitted