The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-07-25


all laid to the Mexicans. We have
no doubt made some progress in the
last six years, but we have yet q
long hard road to travel before we
reach a satisfactory point, SO far as
with the of either territory,
the educational work needing to be
done is enormous. I might almost say
appalling. The President and Cong
ress have recognized this and have
made a muni1cent provision to meet
he emergency. Shall we lightly toss
it overheard and go on in the old way
with our limited resources?
Territories Should Not Be Driven.
81 do not take unlimited stock in
the theory that, if Arizona and New
Mexico do not accept joint statehood
now, they will not get statehood of
any sort in fifty years. Neither terri
tory should be driven into it. If they
cannot join hands for good reasons
they should not join hands at all.
But do believe, if we fail to &C
cept the present enabling act, neither
territory will ever get one half so lib
eral in it's provisions. The value of
land is increasing by leaps and
bounds everywhere in this country
and in five or ten years, five million
the eyes of the Congress as twenty
million acres do now. What either
territory would get in the way of lane
should they be admitted separately,
would be a bagatelle compared with
what is now offered. Nor is there
mucn probability that any large sum
of money or any share in the pro-
ceeds of the sale of public lands,
would be given to either state. We
must remember that many influences
which can never come again at one
time, combined to give us this magni-
icent enabling act. 1t was urged on
by a President who understands the
west as no other President ever did,
or is likely to again. This, no doubt,
influenced many votes in it's favor.
The fate of New Mexico and Arizona
was united in one bill with that of
Oklahoma and h Indian Territory.
No good reasons could be given why
the latter two should not be admit
ted as one state and many Senators
and Representatives voted for the
omnibus bill { with all its liberal pro-
visions), who would not have done
sc but for their unwillingness to do
a great injustice to Oklahoma and
Indian Territory. l think, therefore, l
am right in saying that such a favor
able and fortuituous combination of
OoAO "5oAA
to give us such very liberal terms.
If we turn his down, when either
New Mexico or Arizona applies for
admission in the future, they will
have to stand on their merits alone
without any such help as we have
had in the last contest.
Another reason why I favor joint
ure is that, one big strong state rep
resented in the Senate and House
by the kind of men such a state
would command, would have far more
influence than twice the number of
weak or unworthy men-such men,
for instance, (ff 1 may venture to say
SOFAS the 36th legislative assembly
of New Mexico would have elected
if it had been sitting as a state legis-
lature.
Another reason why we should vote
for joint statehood is that 10 Ameri-
can citizen likes to sit forever on the
fence unable to take part in national
affairs. 1t is a big game and every
self respecting voter wants to play
his part in it.
81 think New Mexico will vote in
favor of joint statehood. Not long
not, but now I am not so sure about
it. Sentiment in favor of it is grow
ing, but whether an honest unani-
mou opposition can be changed to