Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-07-28
ABLY PRESENTED;
CLEARLY STATED
Ex-Governor Prince
on Statehood
Situation.
IS IN FAVOR OF J0|NTURE
Territory's Interests Demand
Largest Possible Vote and
Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention.
To the Editor of the New Mexican.
The statehood situation, as 1t eX-
lists under the act of Congress, pre-
sents a condition which must be met
whether we like all of It's features
or not.
To every citizen of New Mexico Is
presented the question what is best
to be done?" And those of the old
guard, who have advocated statehood,
in season and out, for half a genera
tion, are confronted by most serious
problem.
It is with a view of making a few
practical suggestions which may lead
to an actual result, that venture to
write this letter; and | am led to
this partly by observing in the east
changed sentiment which may be
important in its effect. Let me speak
of this briefly as preface.
When the union of the two terrific
ries in one state was first suggested
by prominent journal, it met a re-
sponse of approval throughout the east.
1t presented to the eastern mind a
method Of doing what was evidently
just to our people as American citi-
zens, and yet did not cause that large
increase in western Senators of which
there was so much fear. They knew
New Mexico and Arizona as two con-
tiguous squares on the map of the
country, and they saw no reason why
they should not be joined to form one
parallelogram. That was the gen
eral feeling that one met and had to
combat all over the east four years
or even two years ago.
Some Good Gained at All Events.
Now this is all changed. If the long
debates in Congress have served nc
other purpose, they have made it uni
versally understood that the two ter
ritories have nothing in common po
litically or commercially; that they
are practically separated by the Con
tinental Divide; that one has its con
nections with the Pacific, and the
other with the Atlantic; that one buys
its goods in San Francisco, and the
other in Chicago, st. Louis or New
York; and that the people are more
thoroughly strangers to each Other
than those of New York and Mime
sofa. On this present trip have moi
seen one single Individual who thinks
that the jointure of the two territories
would be desirable; but on the con
trary a number have said: What is
the matter with Congress, that 1t will
not let New Mexico come in alone as
it wishes to-" refer to these matters
as showing a good feeling toward the
admission of New Mexico, in case the
joint proposition should fail and the
subject should be presented in a regu
lar and forcible manner through the
representative of the people.
Now let lis return to the situation
at home
take it for granted that every
good citizen is in favor of statehood
that every New Mexican is enough
of an American to cherish the righ
of government as important above
all things. Those of us who were most
hurt by the idea of losing our identity
and historic name are still so con
vinced that a provincial form of gov
ernment is nnRepublican and un
American that we prefer any kind o
statehood ITO continuance as a Terri
tory. We, can much better control thu
future, and remedy undesirable condi
tions, when we have representation
and power in both Houses Of Congress
than at present.
Everyone Should Vote "Yes" on Prop
=, osition.
For this reason, every one will
whom this American spirit is control
ling, will vote "yes," on the propos
tion to be submitted next November
But every intelligent man knows tina
there is great danger of defeat. TIL
very method of submission invites IL
Our enthusiastic friend, Mr.. Rodey
used to insist that statehood would b
carried both in New Mexico and Ar
zona, under the first Foraker ament
ment, because we would be voting a
the same time for a host of local off
cials under the new constitution, an
the personal influence of so many car
didates would carry 1t through. Their
was good deal Of force in that idea
But under the present plan the cas-
is reversed. We are to vote on bal
proposition for joint statehood, befOr
any constitution is formed, and at a
election where every candidate
looking for a Territorial Office whic
will be shortened, at least, if STATE
hood is adopted So the personal ii
fiuence of local candidates, which /
the other case would be favorable
a state, is now naturally opposed
1t. The present plan seems Ito hav
been carefully arranged to insure d,
feat
At any rate, whatever our hope
may be, every one Of intelligenc
knows that defeat, at least in Arizon;
is not unlikely, and it is the part {
wisdom to prepare for the contil
gency. And this leads to the sugge
tdon that I wish to make.
That is, that no one be nominate
for the constitutional convention
eRS S M astg NJ s "a