New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-10
FOR BIG C0MMONW EALTA.
Merging of Arizona and Nsro-Mer-
ieo Favored By Major LJegceIIyn.


Washington, Dec e.-Mejor w. H. II. Llewel-
Iyn. United States District Attorney for New
Mexico. former member Of President Roose-
velt's Rough Rider regiment who is in the city
on business connected with hi. work. took
luncheon at the White House to-day.
Major LeweHyn is an ardent advocate of joint
Statehood for New-M Mexico and Arizona, and Is
OF the opinion that the bill providing for the
merging of the Territories win become law at
this session.
Major Llewellyn is urging the President to
make another hunting trip West next spring.
this time to hunt jaguars which are found along
the, Mexican border, and is hopeful that he will
be able to persuade Mr.. Roosevelt to make tho
trip.
'The taguars, or spotted leopards. Of the bor-
der land are the fiercest animals In the West.
said Major Lewelyn. "and I am very anxious
to furnish the President an opportunity to get
a few shots at them. When man goes hunt
ing jaguars he's not going after bobcats, as
he'll find out very soon The President did in
tend to go hunting with last spring. eur
got sidetracked on the coyote hunt Wnat are
coyotes, I'd like to know. that worth man s
whie?' The major snapped his fingers in derls-
ion at the thought and continued:
The sentiment favoring joint Statehood Is rap
idly gaining Roadway in New Mexico In my
opinion, the people of New Mexico and Arizona
will accept joint Statehood when the constltu-
ton is presented to them for their approval
provided that the constitution contains a GER
tain safeguard which viii be required by the
business interests of both Territories before 1t
viii be approved. There must be a provision
limiting the Indebtedness which can be IN
Cured. This restriction must not exceed p
cent of the assessed valuation Of the properly
as is now provided in what is known as the
Springer act of Congress, There must pc
provision in the constitution prohibiting the
voting OF dollar in bonds for the constructors
of railroads; provision limiting the term OF
GovernorIt Ito four years and disGualify1ng MN
for recollection, and also disqualifylng the Gov
ernor from being a candidate for the United
States Senate Immediately after his term eA-
pires as Governor. This is to prevent the use
of his Office as Governor to elect hlInSeA
United States Senator.
The opposition to joint Statehood is OF a dual
character; one sentimental on account Oh PRO pro
vincialialn, and the other on account OF III.
large area for while New Mexico is larger than
New England. yet the joint State will be snlalef
than Texas, although slightly larger than can
fornia The idea that Arizona and New Mexico
are divided in business interests is erroneous
The new State would not be half as antagonlstlc
as are the interests of Northern and Southern
California, which is governed harmonlously as
one State. Ultimately the people will be proud OF
their area, as are the people Of California and
Texas where in the latter case 70 suggest Inc
division of Texas into four States is to give
mortal insult to the State pride of that great
Commonwealth
New Mexico with her vast fields of coal are
connected by the strongest business ties, ana
the railroad lines now IN operation convey COT
stantly to the great copper camps or ARIZONA
thousands of cars OF coke and coal annually
The irrigation interests and the grazing interests
are Identical in each territory. There are people
in Arizona who, unwittngly, perhaps, judge the
people Of Spanish descent living in New Mexico
by the standard of the laboring classes or poems
who come from Old Mexico to Arizona for en-
pIoyuent The Spanish speaking people of New
Mexico are conservative, honest law abiding
and the best citizens we have in the territory.
Senator Beveridge. of Indiana. chairman Of
the Committee on Territories had conference
with the President to-day in part regarding the
status Of Statehood legislation. The Senator
IS confident that Congress at the present ses-
sion will erect two new States, and that the
opposition to the legislation viii not be serious.
One State viii be erected from Oklahoma and
Indian Territory and the other from New
Mexico and Arizona. Considerable opposition
to single Statehood for Arizona and New MeXico
exists, but Senator Beverdge believes it will not
, be successful