Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-12-02
HAGERMAN FAvORS
JOINT STATEHOOD
The New Governor
Comes Out For
Consolidation.
SAYS IT IS THE ONLY HOPE
Means Settled Business and
Political Conditions
Against Gambling.

Herbert j. Hagerman, Of Roswell
who will be Governor of New Mexico
January %, next, at public assem-
bly, in his home town, Thursday even
ing last, and at which assembly there
were many of the representative citi
zens of the Pecos Valley, made the
following speech, which was las
night telegraphed to the New Mexi
can.
Mr.. Hagerman said:
Il am in favor of joint statehood fol
New Mexico and Arizona, if it can be
secured on terms which are fair and
it seems to me that the time has come
when the long-agitated statehood
question should be settled If its agita
ton for so many years has done New
Mexico great harm, by creating an lin.
settled state of feeling, prejudicial
alike to our political and material in,
terests, to have the question properly
settled, once for all would do vast and
ITO have the question properly set.
tied, once for ALL would do vast and
far-reaching good The people would
know what their permanent political
future is, and they would resolutely
set themselves to work to adjust
themselves to it.
Have Enough for State.
''The new State would be large
enough, and have sufficient popula
tion, to command the respect of peo.
pie in other States. 1t would call out
the energies of the best men, and 1t
would be the beginning of a new and
better life in political, social, educa.
tional and industrial affairs. The facts
and reasons favoring jointure are in
their nature permanent. They look
to the long future. They have their
roots deep down in good reason, and
are based on conditions as they actu-
ally exist.
81 think that the main question ac-
tually before us, namely, Will joint
statehood with Arizona be for the ul-
innate good of both Territories? can.
not be properly discussed without
eliminating from it all consideration
of local character The main issue
has frequently been obscured by some
of the advocates of jointure by digres-
sions, as it has likewise been obscur.
ed by some of the advocates of single
statehood by arguments which, at bot.
tom, are purely local.
Difference of Opinions.
Such discussions serve only to
confuse the minds of people who are
truly seeking such light on the subject
as will enable them definitely and cor
rectly to make up their minds. After
eliminating these questions there is
still chance for an honest difference
of opinion but | believe, that when
considered from the broad standpoint
of our best future welfare majority
of the people in this Territory will de-
clare in favor of jointure, if Congress
gives them an opportunity to do so.
Because of the larger opportunity
which joint statehood would give us
and the higher and broader duties
which it would force upon us, the diff
flculties incident to the change would
soon be forgotten and we should quick
ly adjust ourselves to the opportunity
to become a worthy member in the
family of great and influential states.
Single Statehood Unlikely.
1--WE must not forget that single
statehood for either New Mexico or
Arizona is extremely improbable for
a long time to come.
How long they would have to wait
if joint statehood is not secured no
man can tell. The reasons for this,
it is not necessary to discuss. 1t Is
epough to know that they exist and
hat nothing that we can do now will
change them.
I IF single statehood would be un-
questionably better for us in the long
run, then we ought to wait as long
as necessary to secure it. But 1t
seems to me that joint statehood Is
not only better in itself, judged from
the standpoint Of the future, but that
il is the only change from our present
status which is possible, or, at least,
probable under present conditions.
Should Be Accepted.
"If\ a joint statehood bill is passed
by the next Congress, If 1t is signed
by the, President and if it is fair and
liberal in its terms then think it
ought TO be cheerfully accepted by
the people Of the two territories. It's
discussion and the formation of a
constitution under it's terms, ought to
be kept free from all considerations of
merely local and personal Importance.
The people should inform themselves
fully and should settle the question