Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-12
rPAME a CONSTITUTION.

In an interview with the Santa Re
New Mexican. which was given 10 the
public by that paper on Mondny aft
ernoon, Delegate Andrews suggests
hat the people Of New Mexico frame
. constitution this fall ana make APP
plicatlon for admission to the union
az a state at the opening Of the next
eongreRs-and the Morning journal
takes pleasure in endorsing most
heartily The wisdom Of such a course
on the part Of the territory.
We believe this Is Governor Curry's
opportunity, and such an opportunity
as may never knock az hts door again.
Delegates TO a constitutional conyen-
tlon we're elected last fall. and though
they were chosen for the purpose Of
acting la conjunction with delegates
from Arizona. we do not see that i'm
der the circumstances there could be
any valid objection TO them acting
alone. or course. the delegates TO
such a convention should be chosen
upon a strictly nonpartisan basis
they should come together as the rep
resentatives Of the whole people, With
oni regard to party or faction. and "
the governor finds upon looking over.
the llst OF delegates chosen last year
that they are Of this character. he
should call them together TO frame a
constitution, or II. on the other hand.
he should be convinced hat a majority
~ them are not proper persons 10 be
entrusted with such a duty, he should
call the legislature together to provide
for another election. And even In
that case there viii be ample time,
for congress does not meet TN the
nral Monday In December, and really
Toes not attempt to do anything more
than routine work til after the holt
day recess. We have no idea, how
ever. that the latter course will be
thought necessary. since the delegates
chosen last fan were selected as a
rule, without regard to their party
affiliations,
The conditions existing az The pres
ent lime will be found peculiarly in
wiling to such an ATTEMPT OF the part
.. she territory. Il goes without say
ing that our people. 81 AN parties
and factions. want New Mexico to be
made o state-alone Il we can. or In
conjunction with Arizona if we must
Governor Curry'H well known personal
friendship with the president gives
him q chance 10 get closer 10 the ex-
ecuiive ear han any other citizen Of
the territory couk hope TO get. and
this. together with his thorough
knowledge of our people, and the CON
dllions existing here, viii give him
more influence than any one else could
have In freeing Mr Rooseyelt's mind
n ans objections he may have to the
Submission Of New Mexico 20 statehood
alone. And IN addition Go that, New
Mexico has a special claim az this
time. not only upon the president but
upon congress. also, FOR a favorable
consideration Of our appeal for adj
mission because We accepted what
we regarded as the onerous conditions
Imposed upon as last year. and were
turned down" without any fault Of
our own. after congress had voted 20
Iei us come w. and a very large ma
ionty 81 our people had voted 90 ae-
cepi the terms.
In view Of these conditions we =celd
seem To have q much stronger case
than any other territory has been able
10 present ~ can very properly ask
for "a admission a the hands OF CON
sress. not only as a favor. but really
az q matter uf justice.
There has been more or less tax
about single statehood Tor New Mex
leo" at different times during the last
ak months, bat ~ has been mere wind.
and sisulGed nothing in The form
however in which the matter presents
itself this time. O. has some force n
a reasonable foundation. and n Gov
curry shall push matter. a.
We have reason o. believe he Will and
receive The support 81 practical
), an b progressive people ~ TIE
Territory. which will undoubtedly be
riNen him. there y no good reason
uhy our application for admission
b. ready and waiting for con-
sress when ID meets on me hrsi Mon
ias q next December, and We shan
be- more than q ntile surprised " The
Is not able in the meantime
10 secnre the Insertion 81 . very favor
hle endorsement Of our appem in ne
presidents message.
while an ~ mis- wiii not be enough
10 insure our admission. % VIII help
|. great deal. and Incidentally h stii
IRE same lime serve % correct a
reed many errors % NJ pubic mind
harding Nea Mexico and iU popnls-
.fon n resources