Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-12-15
CONSTITUTION Of
GREAT IMPORTANCE
In Battle for State
hood for New
Mexico.
SHOULD HOLD CONVENTION
BY All Means---Stron Letter
By Ex-Governor l.. B.
Prince.

Ex-Governor IL. Bradford TTlHce
who Is now in New York ON business,
has written letter to the New Mexi-
can which should be read by all those
interested in the future of this Terri
tory. 1t contains a number OF strong
arguments for the holding of consti-
tutlonal convention, to be composed OF
the delegates recently elected, for the
purpose of drafting a suitable constl-
tuition for New Mexico. AS will be
apparent from his letter which fol-
lows, Ex-Governor Prince, deems such
a convention one of the most import
ant features in the effort to secure
statehood:
To the Editor of the New MeXican
When wrote, some weeks ago, in
concurrence with delegates from
three counties who were then in
Santa Fe regarding the constitution
al conventioH it was only to discuss
the question of the time of meeting,
as that was the only matter that we
supposed was uncertain. But since
then there has been some expression
of doubt as to the convention itself
and this threatens such danger TO our
prospects fer statehood that beg
for space to consider the subject.
The election of constitutional dele
gates i'm New Mexico was OF no prac-
tical importance, except to have them
meet and form a constitution as is
proposed. Every one knew that Ari-
zona would vote against jointure and
thus defeat the purposes OF the HAM
ilton act. But they also knew that
that very action would open the way
for the admission Of New Mexico by
itself and that the election of dele
gates who would frame a model con-
stituion for the new state, was OF the
utmost importance. The Republican
territorial convention unanimously
adopted a resolution in favor OF the
meeting Of the siXty-six New Mexico
delegates on January 7 to formulate
a constitution for the state of New
Mexico for early presentation to
Congress. In some of the county con-
yentions similar resolutions were
adopted which practically pledged the
delegates there nominated to assist
earnestly in the work.
Time for Work Has Now Arrived
Now the time has come for the
work itself. Nothing has occurred to
change the situation. 1t is exactly
what every one anticipated. Con-
gress presented its favorite program
of iointure. Arizona rejected it by an
immense percentage of its votes.
While jointure itself Is not popular in
New Mexico yet the people are so
anxious for self government OF any
kind that they gave a heavy majority
for the project.
This places lis in a most favorable
position for action. We have demon
strated to the world our intense de-
sire for self government. We have
shown every consideration for the
wishes of the political leaders in
Washington while the action of Arl.
zona has not only deprived 1t of sym
pathy there, but has shown that joint
IRE is impossible.
In almost every county excellent
Judgment was shown in the selection
of delegates. Six of these were
members of the last constitutional
convention and many others have ex-
perience which especially fits them
for the work. There is no reason
why our convention should not formu-
late the most perfect constitution in
the whole Union. We have the ad
vantage of the experience of all the
states and the various Organic laws
from which to select the most desil'
able features
Great Aid for Admission into Union.
Nothing will facilitate admission
more than the presentation of such 8
completed document. It will silence
the argument that we have not capa
city for self government and 1t will
remove the objection of uncertainty
as to what we might or might-not-do
An application, coupled with the pre-
sentation of a constitution already
formulated by convention elected
by the people, will be ten fols
stronger than a mere bare reques
for an Enabling Act, when the actor
under 1t is all uncertain. Experience
has shown that this is the most sue
cessful method to secure admission
more than half of the territories tha
have achieved statehood have dont
SO by exactly such action without
previous Enabling Act.
And 1t is our only chance for YEAR
to come. Every public man who ha'
expressed an opinion has said that WI
must now act ourselves
Congress proposed its plan and d.
has failed. It will not be in haste t,
try again. 1t is for lis to make tn
move. And fortunately half Of tht
work is already done, by the election
Of the delegates This is cuflbef
some and somewhat expensive mai
ter, when a special election Is re
quireL But that is finished. Tn,
convention is elected Nothing re
mains but for it to meet and accom-
plish Its work.
Only Short Time Necessary to Fornnt
late Constitution.
With The experience Of the past an