Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-11-07
JUDGE A. A. FREEMAN'S MASTERLY
ADDRESS ON JOINT STATEHOOD
Clean and Convincing, 1t is a Master Piece in
Research, Arguments and Style, and
All Should Read II.

OFFICE of the Chairman, Carlsbad, N.
M November .. 1905.
To the People of New Mexico:
A serious problem confronts us, In
lSiS the Territory Of New Mexico, in
GLIDING what is now Arizona and New
Mexico. was acquired from the Republic
OF Mexico. In 1868 this great territory
was divided, and still remains divided.
For years past this divided territory
has been seeking admission into the
Union as two states II is not my puT-
pose to recitc the history OF these eff
forts; it Is enough to say that they have
been abortive.
New Mexico as a single territory; or,
more properly speaking. as "a part OF
the Original territory, is further from
statehood today than it was a quarter OF
a century ago.
IL is possible that in the course OF time.
by continued waiting and working and
watching. New Mexico. within its pres
ent boundaries may become a state. IL
is just possible that within that time
Russia may recover its power in Man
churia, or the southern states establish
a confederacy.
people a mortgage IN the future. What
It has in store for us none can tell.
We believe that joint statehood is OBJ
%tainable: that II is within our reach.
Shall we accept or reject it9
If congress shall, at it's approaching
session, pass a Joint statehood bill, we
shall be called upon to make our choice.
Shal We accept or reject it?
II congress shall at its approaching
session pass a joint statehood bill, we
shall be called upon to make our choice.
What shall that choice be?
1t is conceded that a great many good
people of the territory prefer separate
statehood; II is equally certain that
equally as great a part of the good peo-
pie prefer joint statehood, and it is no
less true that a considerable number of
good people are opposed to statehood in
any form.
Ii is not the purpose of this address to
indulge in any argument in favor Of
statehood OF some kind, either single or
joint. / am assuming that the reader
prefers a condition of statehood to that
of territorialism, and that the only ques-
kind.
II any man in the territory has made
up his mind to stand on the narrow plat
form of single statehood or nothing.
then this address is not intended for
him, but for men of sufficient breadth
of understanding to appreciate the fact
that we cannot all have our own way
in matters that concern others just as
much as ourselves.
There are E great many advantages in
a large state; there are none in favor OF
a small state. a large state means
wealth at home, and influence abroad; a
good government and light taxes. A
small state means government by a
small cliuue Of small men. Ii means thar
everything is to be small except taxes
There is not a large state in the Union
that would agree 10 give up one county
OF its territory. Texas, the largest of
the states. was admitted into the Union
with the privilege of dividing herself in
to five states; thus allowing her ten
instead of two senators; and yet a man
who should In Texas advocate a division
of that state would be hooted down.
One great state like New Mexico and
Arizona combined will have ten times as
much Influence in congress, and in the
country at large, as two states COM
posed of New Mexico and Arizona sep
arately.
The Opposition to Joint Statehood
While it may be omitted that here
ana there are to be found private indi-
viduals who favor single statehood, it is
nevertheless a fact so notorious as TO ad.
init OF no denial, that the principal op-
position comes from office holders under
the present territorial administration. ii
is not the purpose of this address to
impeach the motive of these gentlemen,
If they think that by holding on to their
positions and keeping New Mexico ont
OF the Union, they can give the people
a betterN government thar the people
themselves can administer as a state,
then no doubt they are right in their
Again, If the people of this territory
believe that the present territorial ad-
minlstration, with its multiplication of
-otticers' increasing taxation, and gen
eral spOliation, ought to continue in
power for a third or fourth term; that
the territorial condition ought to be con-
tinued for the benefit OF the territorial
o%tficers, then they ought to oppose joint
statehood. for opposition to joint state
mood means opposition 20 any kind of
1t is a part OF the history of New Mex
leo, that in 1863, it was divided as the
result of a combination of outside car
petbag office seekers. who were desir-
GUS OF positions in the territory. and
hence the territory of Arizona was Gre
ated.
We are confronted. therefore. with this
condition of facts: A combination of Of
lice seekers 1t was who divided New
Mexico; and it Is a combination of office
holders who nnN seek ~ loon aun 81 "a
vision.
Fellow citizens, If you desire TO throw
OFF the tyranny that now enthrails you
n you would sunder the bands that now
blnu you; II you would declare your in.
dependence OF the small oligarchy that
now Expresses you; If you would become
in fact what you ought to be-free citi.
zens or "a free state-l adjure you to EN-.
brace the present opportunity.
Remember that there is "a time in tn,
affalrs = territories, as well as of men
which taken at its flood leads TO fortune
Opportunities wasted may never return
what mas been said, of course, goes fol
naught II congress fails TO pass an en-
aiding act.
If congress should pass a separat,
statehood biz, 10 be followed by tn,
formation of "a constitution with prope
restrictions, We are ready To support il
III passes a Joint statehood bill. Wha
will you do? VIII YOU support IL %
throw away the only opportunity tina
you will ever have of supporting "a state
hood bill OF any kind?
btlAAE 10 ANE thIlHIltItflhu OF This ITaa
ton sound sense and patriotism. DO no
suffer yourself TO be misled 10y any o
the numerous devices resUrted 20 10 de
feat statehood.
Let mt mention some of these device,
You have probably received letters frot
some member Of the administrator q
santa Fe seeking TO have you pledg
yourself In favor Of separate statehoo,
and against Joint statehood. Withol
serious consideration of the subject, yo
may have given your voice for separat
statehood. If YOU are an intelligent ma.
l ask you TO reconsider the matter, an
If on mature consideration, yop belleN
hat joint Statehood is attainable, an
that singl statehood is not, Your col
victions will be changed. for wise me
change their views when they find tn,
are wrong. Fools do not change, an
dis for the same reason that the tran
does not change his linen.
The opponents of statehood will q
you that II is unfair TO New Mexico ar
Arizona 70 join them In one large stat
be put In one county Of New MeNic
That is true; and IL Is equally true thu
the wealth and population Of New Me-
leo could be put into one county
Rhode Island.
They will tell you that congress a,
mitted Idaho, Wyoming. Montana, Uta
and Nevada, territories no larger tina
New Mexico. and as sparsely settle
For that very reason, il for none othe
II will not admit New Mexico. Natioi
change their policies as well as indivi,
uals, and there has been so much con
plant In the eastern states about n
admission Of sparsely settled Westel
states that congress has called a hal
Some one has said that Uncle Sam Ia
gone out Of the business Of admitti
sage brush states with dense populj
tons Of prairie dogs. However that ma
be, no one doubts that II these stat