Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-08-03
FORMER AR|zONAN
fAVORs JO|NTURE
Sensible Deductions
Good Reasons
For Views.
RAINIER OF PHOENIX RANCH
Mora County Has Big In
terests in Both Territories
Takes Bold Stand.

H. ]. Ramer, an extensive land own
er with his home near Watrous, Mora
County, has been spending few days
in this city for recreation. He was
accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Bell
Rodgers of Des Moines, Iowa, who has
been on a visit with him for the past
month
Mr.. Ramer first came to New Mexico
in 1876. after coming here he engaged
in cattle raising in what is now EDDY
County in the southeastern part OF the
Territory. He remained there thirteen
years, and did very well in his busl
ness. although Indians were quite nos
tile during the period and committed
many depredations in the Pecos rivel
country during the time he resided
there. In 1887, Mr.. Ramer moved te
Arizona and engaged in similar bnsl
ness near HolbrooK in what was then
the county of Apache, now the county
of Navajo, in that Territory. Ills
property there is known as the Canon
Creek Ranch and is very valuable
Six years ago, he returned TO tnlS
Territory and purchased the property
he now owns and which was formerly
owned by the late Colonel r. G. Head
and known as the Phoenix Ranch
which he has made his home evel
since. 1t is very extensive and con
tains about $4,000 acres carved from
the holdings of the well known Mora
and Scully land grants which means
perfect title as both grants were long
ago confirmed by the Congress OF the
United States, Mr. Ramer has about
a thousand acres under ditch and Is
raising much alfalfa which he uses II
the feeding of beef cattle for market
This has been profitable business
in that section as the lands in the La
Junta valley, in Mora County, are fam
Gus for the fine quality and large
amount of alfalfa they produce TO Inc
acre. Oats are another staple crol
on the ranch and fruit in considerable
quantities is raised annually. Tht
home of Mr.. Ramer is situated aDou
mile from Watrous and is one OF tht
most comfortable and best arranged
in New Mexico Mr.. Ramer still owns
his property in Canon Creek, Arizona
There he raises large herds OF i'm
proved cattle.
II will. therefore, be seen that MT
Ramer is in condition to speak VIII
some authority on political affairs II
the two territories. He has been lntl
mately acquainted with New Mexico
for over thirty years and with Arlzonf
for about twenty. He impresses one
as a man of keen observation, very IN
telligent and well informed upon thf
important questions of the day, nation
al. territorial and local.
To a representative OF the New
Mexican in answer to question
concerning Arizona and Joint state
hood in the sister territory. Mr.
Ramer said;
Fayors Hamilton Joint Statehood
Measure.
81 am in favor of the adoption Q
the provisions of the Hamilton JON
statehood law. Up to within a yea
ago. I strongly upheld separate state
hood for the two territories, believing
each of them to be justly entitled u
this privilege and knowing that bocl
mr. either. we're fully capable of sus
tanning the right kind OF stat
government. About year ago, now
ever, changed my opinion, havin
become convinced that separate state
hood for the present and probably 10
some years to come was out OF Tn
question. Being an ardent statehoo
advocate, | carefully examined int
affairs and concluded after due cor
sideration that it would be the pes
for the two territories to be Jolhe
into one great state and not wal
longer upon the probability OF sepa1
ate statehood. 1t goes without sayih
that combined New Mexico and Ar
zona will make a very respectaDl
commonwealth, even if the populatio
of the two territories today does nc
exceed 100000. The immigration i
the past five years into New Mexic
has increased the population of th1
territory to about 100000 and I do NJ
think am mistaken when l estimat
Arizona to have 100000. As far q
taxable property is concerned,
think the two territories are ampl
provided for in that respect. The a
sessments in both are low and th
actual value of property is much grea
er than is shown on the assessmel
books. The people of both territorit
are progressive and in some section
far ahead of eastern communitia
Neither territory has the edge on tn
other. To be sure the mineral resou
ces of Arizona are better develope
but the live stock interests OF Ne
Mexico are greatly in the lead. Bot
territories make very fine shown
in educational, charitable and penal i
stitutions; much more favorable or
than can be possibly made in the oldt
and richer communities by two an
three times the number of peop
now here.
Why He Urges Favorable Action.
my principal reason for advocatir
Joint statehood is, believe, it Is ne'
our grasp while separate statehood
y far away, When the two territori