Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-09-12
STATEHOOD
PARAMOUNT
Constitution Should
Be Framed and
Submitted
\. 0. BURsUM ON RECORD
Ninety.Five Percent Of Peo.
pie Favor Speedy Ac-
ton He Says.

Chairman H. o. Bursum of the Ter.
ritorial Republican Central Commit
tee, who has been in the city several
days on political and personal busi-
ness, is unequivocally and strongly in
favor of immediate and prompt ac-
ton on the statehood question. He Is
thoroughly acquainted with the people
of this Territory and has an intimate
knowledge of the views of the leaders
not only of the two great political
parties, but also voters generally. In
deed, there is no man in the Terri
tory who has a more clear or thor
ough understanding of the situation
and of political conditions in the Sun
shine Territory. His record as a
clear-headed, far-sighted and success
full political leader is well established
and his great political acumen and
foresight are universally acknowl
edged. This is the time for the peo-
pie of New Mexico to act and with
the support of President Roosevelt
and unity on the part of the people
and leaders Of the two great
parties, the aid of Governor
Curry, and the help of Delegate
Andrews, an enabling act can be
passed within the first three months
of the coming session of the Sixtieth
Congress, constitution can be sub
mitted and statehood secured for next
year. Were constitutional conven-
ton held promptly and constitution
submitted to Congress, he feels sure
this will be the proper sort of a docu-
ment that will appeal in the right way
to Congress, to President Roosevelt
and to the people Of the country gen.
orally. He is an enthusiastic sup.
porter of President Roosevelt and be-
lieves the people of New Mexico, by
a great majority, are for Roosevelt
and his policies. To representative
of the New Mexican, upon being ask
ed his views on this very important
subject of immediate statehood, Mr..
Bursum said
"Ninety-five per cent of the citizen
ship of New Mexico is heartily in
favor of statehood. People are anx'
ious now, more than ever, to have a
voice in the affairs Of the national
government. i believe, If we were ad-
mitted to statehood, that the new
state would take on rapid strides in
the line of development and progress.
Too energetic action in this direction
cannot be taken. think the large
majority cast by the citizens OF New
Mexico for joint statehood shows
conclusively that our people are ex-
tremely anxious to be admitted into
the Union under almost any reason
able terms obtainable. The joint
statehood proposition has been de-
clared off by the President, and sep
arate statehood is therefore the only
live issue at the present time. Or
course, our people have always been
more favorable to separate statehood
than Joint statehood. The chief am
hilton of the majority of our citizens
has been to attain complete citizen
ship, guaranteed by the constitution
and the privilege of governing tnem'
selves and managing their own affairs
7 think 1t would be wise at this time
to consider the assembling OF con-
stitutional convention, which should
be held in time to have ready con-
stitution to be presented to Congress
at the coming session, December
next. We should send strong dele
CATION to assist our Delegate in Con
gress and make an active fight for
admission at this session under the
constitution prepared, which would
save great deal of time and would
also satisfy Congress, in large meas
ure. as to our qualifications for self
government.
"President Roosevelt should feel
kindly towards New Mexico and be-
lieve he will. New Mexico has been
loyal to the President and upheld his
policies Loyalty in SO far as the same
were within the jurisdiction and pow
er of the people. The local fights
and local factional differences which
may exist in the Territory, should be
buried for the time being and the
slogan Of every good citizen from now
until the passing Of the enabling act
by Congress, should be statehood Tor
New Mexico. If we have any quar-,
rels, to settle, let us settle them as
citizens of the new state"