Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-01-12
THURSDAY. JANUARY IL. 1905.
MAklNa rhE nEsT or IT.

m
The New York sun declares that
statehood for New Mexico and Arizo
ma In a dead issue 40 far as the fifty
ninth congress IL concerned II says
that II any statehood bill Is passed
at the present session II VIII be n
admitting Oklahoma and indian Terri
tory as one state and that neither
New Mexico nor Arizona Will get In,
Jointly or slngly.
This Is another Illustration OF the
truth that great minds etc. for The
Optic had about concluded that this
was the case without being aware that
tho Sun was reaching the same con
clusion. Senator Teller's amendment.
providing for single statehood for New
Mexico and leaving Arizona out In the
cold, seemed but a cruel Jest 70 mock
our hopes. II Is understood that Sen
ator Teller has served notice OF the
republican leaders that any bill admit.
ting New Mexico and Arizona will not
be allowed to pass this session. And
when the senator serves notice he
generally makes good.
The people Of the two states may
as well begin to reconcile themselves,
then. 10 the idea Of enjoying single
b~lessedness as territories for some
time longer. For while some contin.
gency might arise by which the situa-
tion would suddenly change. the prob.
abilities Of our having an opportunity
to vote on il constitution during the
year 1905 are very slight.
This being the case. IL IN better 20
find some ground for congratulation
In the situation and this is TO be found
at least In the fact that New Mexico
will not have To face the necessity Of
holding elections for three successive
years, 1904. 1905 and 1906,
The disruption 10 business attend.
ant upon a general election is too well
recognized 10 admit NJ discussion.
The effect OF the presidential election
upon the business OF the nation forms
the basis Of the principal agitation
for 4 six year presidential term. The
effect OF an election for a city mayor
IL felt by every business man In the
immediate community. Az Ii general
territorial election exceeds the local
election In Importance. SO Its effect
upon business In general Ia more dis.
astrpus.
Tho territory has just been through
one Of the most absorbing elections
In Its history. Were the Joint state
hood bin 10 pass, We would be in the
midst az another even before va had
time TO Gov our breath from the
last one, But We would NOT escape
with a single election during the pres.
ent year. First would come the cleo.
tion for delegates to the constitutional
convention; then The vote on the con.
stitntion and the election OF the new
state officers. including representa-. !
tives to congress.
No enlargement upon the matter Isl
needed 10 emphasize the importancei
81 these first elections. not only from
q political but from a business stand.
point. They would absorb the inter-
est II the people for the time being
But 1905 being mn irregular year, the
officers elected would hold for only
the one year. and with 1906 would
come the necessity for the first regu.
lar election In the new state. The eff
fect upon the business Of the territory,
and our development along important
mes OF this constant political turmoil
cannot be calculated. And the lmn,sl
diate gain would, In 90 far MS we are
able to see, not be proportionaie with
the loss.
New Mexico has Just been through |
one OF the worst years In her history. |
The sheep and cattle industry has suf
fered beyond precedent. agriculture
has also been seriously crippled and
business all along the line has felt the
effect OF these reverses. But just now
the longlooked.f for moisture Is being
sent In unusual abundance. The hid.
den springs of water. which have.
been dried up for so long that their.
place Is almost forgotten. viii add 10.
the wealth OF moisture this spring,
and all the rivers win carry abundance.
for the needs of every farmer and
stockman. Immense irrigation pro
iects are on foot and needthe attention