Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-13
PRESIDENT ASKS GOVERNOR TO
CONFERENCE IN ST. LOUIS WHEN
STATEHOOD WILL BE THE TOPIC

Especial Dispatch ta the Morning Journal ]
Santa Fe, Sept. 12.-Governor
Curry received letter yesterday from
President Roosevelt inquiring whether
he could meet the president at st.
Louis and go with him on his boat.
TO Memphis on the 2nd of October.
Governor Curry stated this morning
that he would avail himself of the OPP
portunity afforded to have talk with
the president on the statehood ques-
tion and would go from st. Louis
down to Memphis on the presidents
boat in order to present his views to
the president fully and talk the mat
ter over with him. The governor is
IN favor of single statehood for New
Mexico and Is going to use his influ-
ence with the president in that di-
rection.
Governor Curry Is going about the
statehood matter carefully and Is go-
ing to consult with the prominent men
Of the territory who are I'm favor Of
statehood as to the proper course to
be pursued. He stated that he would
be pleased to hear from any one con-
cerning the question and would like
10 get the ideas of representatives Of
the press on this subject. He has not
vet decided whether he will call the
delegates elected at the general elec-
tion last fall together for the purpose
Of framing a constitution or not. He
has arranged for an interview with
A. A. Jones, chairman of the territor-
ial Democratic committee. and II. q.
Bursum. chairman of the territorial
Republican committee TO take the
matter up this week and devise some
plan whereby the matter can be taken
up IN such a way that it will be non
partisan The governor realizes that
h4 ~
thing is to be accomplished along this
line. and he Is In favor of framing
constitution and submitting 1t to con-
gress with a view Of securing admis-
sion at the coming session. He Is OF
opinion that II we submit a constitu-
tion which will be acceptable TO the
leaders In congress they might be inn
nresspd favorablv enough to pass an
enabling act and give us statehood
earlier than we would be able to get
II otherwise.
There Is no provision for the pay
ment of either salaries or expenses OF
the delegates to g constitutional con-
vention. and the delegates would be
obliged to pay their own expenses and
trust to the action of congress for re-
imbursement but that Is not likely To
stand in the way of holding a consu-
tutional convention.
The first thing to be done, IL pos
sible. is TO get the support Of the pres
ident without his support a single
statehood measure would be a difficult
one to get through congress. II Is
necessary, also, to have the support Of
al Of the friends OF statehood. anf 10
this end the movement must be NJ de
non partisan. and a serious ques on
with the governor Is whether the 70
~atee elected at the last elet on
should be called together or whe ner
some plan should be devised wher hv
The representation OF the two parties
should be more evenly balanced In the
and il Is for the purpose
of getting the ideas OF the chairmen
~ the two great parties in regard to
this matter that he has requested an
interview with them so that he may
come to some conclusion as TO the de-
tails A convention will be called for
The purpose OF forming a constitution. |
'he governor win do all in his power |
to secure single statehood for New
Mexico. but the details remain TO be /
worked out This. briefly Is the state
hood situation as It stands today
on his recent trip through the /
northern part Of the territory the gov
aruor met many people who have re-
aently arrived in New Mexico to make /
heir homes He saws that a great 4
OF them are in favor Of
statehood. and he believes that state
hood would be a great boon for New
Mexico at this time.