The Socorro chieftain. [volume] (Socorro, N.M.) 1902-1959, 1906-06-23
ON JOINT STATEHOOD
Hon. Solomon Luna Expresses His
Opinion As to How the Vote
Will Go.
THE BEST BILL EVER PASSED
Five Million Dollars Cash for
Schools, Thirty Million Dollars
in Lands for Education.

1t must be conceded that any
thing that Hon. Solomon Luna.
Republican national committee
man for New Mexico, may have
to say upon the subject OF Joint
statehood is extremely signif-
cant. The Chieftain therefore
takes pleasure in reproducing the
following from recent issue of
the Albuquerque Citizen:
Hon. Solomon Luna, Rcpubli-
can national committeeman for
New Mexico having returned TO
the city today from an absence
of some weeks, a Citizen report
er upon him.
Mr.. Luna said the reporter,
what do YOU think of the state
hood billE" Mr.. Luna replied:
! consider it the most liberal
enabling act ever passed by con-
gress. | know of no state in all
the forty-five now composing the
union, to which so fair heri-
tage was offered as that which
will be the marriage portion of
the proposed state of Arizona.
There was nothing asked of con-
greSS, in the way of endowment
for the new state, which was not
granted. Five million dollars in
cash for our schools and $50, ,O00,-
600 III lands for the schools and
other necessary state institutions.
constitute bequest never before
imagined, much less realized, in
the admission of the thirty-two
states which have come into the
union since the jointure of the
original thirteen that gained
their independence. The gifts
made by congress, which will
never again be duplicated wheth-
er the twin territories apply sep
arately or jointly, will at once
make the state of Arizona one of
the lowest tax rates known in the
union, while the immense size
and varied industries of the state
will attract immigration as no
other part of the United States
has ever done. OF course. | re-
gret the loss of our historic and
time honored name, New Mexico,
but we cannot have everything
in this world. We must take
everything as it comes, the bit
ter with the sweet. The greater
advantage of statehood leads me
to overlook some minor matters
which may not be just as would
have them. The statehood bill
opens grand and attractive
prospect before New Mexico and
Arizona and ! think that either
of them will be very foolish
which shall reject the opportuni-
ty.'
Mr.. Luna, how do you think
the vote will stand in this terri
tory? Will it be yes or no?"
Il do not think that there is
any doubt on the subject. There
is but little opposition in this
territory to joint statehood.
Some prominent men would rath-
er have us continue as a terri
tory. ! will not suggest who
they are. Others of the people
have become angered at the Will
fication of New Mexico, eSpec-
tally by speakers and the press
of Arizona, and in their anger
they prefer indefinite territorial
conditions to jointure with Ari-
zona. | think that such are
largely in the minority, and that
most of them can be influenced
by calm and sensible argument.
However, the friends of jointure
must not be indolent or idle.
Much must be done and the time
is short. ! do believe, however,
that with proper effort a very
large majority may be secured
for statehood in New Mexico.
All the opposition in this terri
tory is chiefly that OF sentiment.
1t can be overcome by fair argu-
ments and, as already said. if
proper efforts are put forth ! do
not have any fear that the result
at the polls will be overwhelm-
ingly for statehood.