The Socorro chieftain. [volume] (Socorro, N.M.) 1902-1959, 1906-07-28
CONSTITUTION MAKERS
New Mexican Urges Choosing Men
of Character to Frame Pro-
posed Constitution.
NEW MEXICO HAS RIGHT MEN
Citizens of Territory VINO Have Been
Members Of For Constitutional
Conventions.

The following timely and able
editorial is taken from Thurs
days issue of the Santa F>e New
Mexican:
The Importance of having men
of the highest character chosen
as members of the Constitution
al Convention, is recognized by
all. In the performance of this
duty the new state is entitled to
the services of its most able, in
telligent and experienced citi-
zenS.
The New Mexican is glad to
know that New Mexico contains
a large number of men who are
competent for this work. Espe-
cially among the newer set of its
public men there are many who
have given careful study to the
science of government, and there
are several who have held Office
in other states and bring the eX-
perience of various systems.
Among native New Mexicans
there are men who have an init
mate acquaintance with local
conditions which will be very
valuable in the practical fea-
lures of the work. All elements
are necessary in the convention,
in order that there may be. the
fullest knowledge on every SUBJ
ject involVed.
The Territory has also some
citizens who have already had
experience in constitutional work,
which will be valuable now, and
it is of them that this paper
speaks especially today.
At least two citizens of New
Mexico have had experience with
constitutions in other states.
Honorable Henry l.. Waldo, who
always carefully preserves his
New Mexico citizenship as a res
ident of Las Vegas, saw his first
public service as a member of a
Constitutional Convention in Cal
ifornia, before settling in New
Mexico, and has always retained
high reputation as a constitu-
tional lawyer. Honorable l..
Bradford Prince is known in
New York as the father of the con-
stitutional amendments of 1874
in that state. He introduced the
bill for the Commission which
formulated them and had charge
of them in the Legislature during
both sessions required for their
passage, and then wrote the ex-
planatory pamphlet used through
out the state in the campaign
for their adoption by the people
OF the Constitutional Conven-
ton of 1890 about a half yet sur
vive; and their experience will
be valuable now. That conven-
tion consisted of seventy-five
members, but number of them
especially from Taos, Valencia,
Rio Arriba and Socorro, attend
ed very little, if at all, SO that
the work was practically done by
fifty men. One of the most val
liable members, Judge Warren
Bristol, died before the adjourn
ed session of the convention in
August 1890. Since then r.
Haberland, b. S. Rodey, J. A.
Whitmore, l.. h. S. Paulin ant
h. M. White have left the Terri
tory; and many of the most
prominent members, including
Colonel Chavez, the President
have died.
But among the survivors are
the following, who took an act
i've and influential part in th'
proceedings, and whose gooC
work should not be forgotten
E. s. Slower, Alexandra Sando
val, Marcos G. de Baca, Perfec
tor Armijo, A. c. Voorhees,, +
w. Fox, Martin Lohman, c. b
Eddy, T. w. Heman, Mate,
Lujan, Trinidad Romero, j. M
c. Chaves, Aniceto Abeytia, T
b. Catron, +. w. Clancy, Nj
cholas Gales, ID. c. Winters
Manuel c. de Baca, J. G.. Clancy
Jefferson Reynolds, Edward Hen
ry, G.. w. Prichard, w. II
Shupp, Frank Springer, w. I
Kelley, Demetrio Perez, +. A
Dow, and Patrocinio Luna.
OF those who made the activ
campaign in favor of the consti
tuition in 1890, nearly all ar
dead. Honorable l.. b. Prime
1..t:.,.,.,y ., 49,.