Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-01-16

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Francisco Chaves will come To these
halls and attend our deliberations?
Let Us then, conduct ourselves IN
though In his very presence. He. II Ia
true. has gone 70 the hereafter In the
fiery chariot Of martyrdom. but ]
beg to you to Join with me In the
prayer that his mantle may fall upon
him who stands before you.
Upon assuming the chair. Hon. Car
Dalles said:
Gentlemen OF the house Of he
thirty-slxth legislative assembly:
am profoundly grateful 10 you TOR
the marked honor Of bestowing upon
my humble person the distinguished
position Of speaker Of the house. II
Ia, indeed, = high honor, and ! assure
you that ! appreciate II a. such, and
/ assure you. further, that shall
earnestly strive to merit the esteem
and confidence OF which you have
Just given proof.
The question Of statehood Is one OF
the most vital Importance 10 the cit
liens of New Mexico. and a. this time
is commanding the attention OF our
national Legislators under the pro-
visions Of the Hamilton joint state
hood bill now pending In congress.
This bin In It's provisions affects
not only New Mexico but Arizona.
inasmuch a. II provides for The Gre
alton OF one state out Of the two ter.
ritories. This question has been
brought up time and again before our
territorial conventions and was made
the issue al our recent election. II
would seem that the sentiment gen
orally throughout New Mexico 10
against any jointure with Arizona.
To create n state out Of two terri
tories would deprive us Of our just
representation In the senate Of the
United States. This il certainly a
most unjust proposition. In addition
to the practical Acknowledgement Of
our rights, there Ia nothing In com.
mon between the TWO territories. or
any ties Of any nature whatsoever.
which tend to bind the people Of the
two territories together. II would
seem therefore. under such conditions,
that II would be impossible to create
q state that would be harmonious,
The statement that we shall accept
Joint statehood or nothing is but an
induccment offered by the friends Of
Joint statehood In the east, who are
opposed To further representation
and power from the west. II Is only
d question OF time until we are bound
to be admitted as Il single state
within our present boundaries and
under our present name. New Mexico,
II would seem to me that II might
be proper al this time for your hon
orahle body 10 take some action In
the premises and express the senti-
menl OF the people through resolu.
tion or otherwise. In such a manner
an this honorable body may deem
most effective to accomplish the re-
suits most desired.
s~landeroas statements have beer
made by some of the members OF tn,
United States senate regarding thu
character OF the citizenship OF THU
territory, and especially with refer
ence to our native people. In thes'
statements our people have beer
grossly injured and misreprcsented
and In making these remarks thu
members OF our national body 80 re-
ferred TO have only exposed their ut
ter Ignorance and lack Of knowledg'
OF our people. Our citizens may wei
challenge comparison with any citl
zenship Of the states al To character
stability, patriotism. and obedience 4
the law. We protest against suc'
outrageous statements 81 being on
Itirely unjust aud ~unfounaea on fact.
During the past few years terri
tory has made gigantic strides towar'
In higher plane and name In the M
tion, Our products are gaining I
magnitude aud the Importance OF on
position In relation to the states G
the union Ia daily assuming create
proportions.
Progress IL, and must continue /
be, our ~watchword, and 10 this end W
ia legislators must work with III
veal OF lovers OF progress and hold tn
advancement OF the interest of on
beloved territory close to our hearts
We are here az the servants Of nc
the few. but the manf-the servant
OF ail the people of New Mexico. II
AS, then, carefully study the advance
conditions, as We find them today. an
meet them BY such prudent, equitahl
and just legislation az will furths
the growth OF our territory and II