Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-01-14
Governor Otero Believes 1t Will Be
Granted During the Fifty-Eighth
Congress---Bill for Creation of a
Sixth Judicial District Likely to
Become d LdW---PrediCtiOn That
President Roosevelt Will Be Un-
dnimously Nominated on the First
Ballot.

A representative of the New Mex
can called on Governor Otero yestel
day and found him busily engaged dis
patching great deal Of official bus
ness which had been awaiting his re
turn.
Upon being asked what the outlool
for statehood was, the Governor said
Il found during my recent visit t.
Washington that much more favor
able sentiment towards New Mexico
prevails, Senators and Representative
who formerly were opposed to the ad
mission of this Territory are feelinf
better and it is my belief that single
statehood will be given. New Mexico
by the Fifty-eighth Congress, although
possibly not during the present ses
sion. There is considerable sentiment
among Republicans to the effect that II
would be best for the interests of the
Republican party were the passage OF
an enabling act for the Territory put
off until after the presidential election
Il am strongly in favor of statehood
for the Territory, but am just as
strongly opposed to any combination
with Arizona. Delegate Rodey made
very exhaustive and excellent argl-
ments before the House committee on
territories and is working like a Tro-
jan for statehood and certainly ~.
serves the gratitude of the people OF
New Mexico for the good work he is
doing in this and other respects for
our people.
Sixth Judicial District.
"You ask about the creation of a
Sixth Judicial District? This matter
was also looked after by me while in
Washington and found that Delegate
Rodey has it in very good shape, and
that the bill for the creation of Sixth
Judicial District and the appointment
of an additional associate justice for
New Mexico now pending, has great
likelihood of becoming law Of course
very little can be done during the pres
ent month on the question, but l be-
lieve from what I have learned of it's
status that it is reasonably certain
that the bill will be favorably reported
and passed by the House by May L. All
opposition against it has been disarm-
ed and there is no good reason why it
should not pass the Senate speedily.
conversed with a number of Senators
and Representatives upon the subject
and obtained assurance that they
would aid Delegate Rodey in every
possible manner looking towards the
enactment of the measure. 1t is we'll
that it is one of the prime
necessities of our people and would
prove of benefit to the cause of justice
as we'll as in the direction of economy
in the conduct of our courts.
Fort Marcy Reservation.
Concerning the Fort Marcy Reser-
vation, it is well known that l was in
favor of having the reservation grant
ed to the Territory for the use and
benefit of the schools of the Capital. 1t
was my idea and so put myself on
record in the interior, department last
that the reservation be turned
over to the Territory in charge of the
territorial board of public lands and
thereafter be disposed of by this body
and the proceeds of such portions of
The reservation not necessary for
schools and public uses be turned over
TO the city board of education to be
Used as fund for the construction of
lew and modern school buildings need
I'd here. Upon my arrival in Washing
ON l consulted with Delegate Rodey |
and also Mayor Sparks of this city, |
who was then there. Their plan was
somewhat different from my own as |
hey desired the reservation to be
granted directly to the city of Santa I.
Te, to be managed by the city author
ties for the benefit of the city board
# education and the towns public
chools. After consultation with these
,entlemen concluded to drop my plan
md join with them,' although | then
md there thought additional legisla-
ion would be necessary should the
ity become the beneficiary under the
proclamation in order that
uch portions of the lands as were not
ecessary for public uses, could be
old. It was a local matter, however,
nd therefore gave up my plan. The
ecretary of the interior had hear
ng and consulted upon the matter and
hen 1t was agreed that proclama-
ion by the President should be is
ued substantially in the form as pub
shed In the New Mexican yesterday.