Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-09-16

resenting all sections be appointed to
confer with the Territorial Legisla-
ture as to the best time and method Of
holding the session for the formula
tion of such constitution.
"At this meeting it appeared that
the governors OF number of states
had sent their constitutions to be used
in the work Of the convention, and
public men all over the country had
shown their interest in the work. The
convention Of Oklahoma, then in ses
sion, telegraphed it's greetings and af
terwards sent an engrossed copy of
resolutions of congratulation.
Delegates in Favor Of Holding Con.
vention.
Before the February meeting near
ly every delegate was heard from. Out
OF the sixty-siX, only three were luke
warm or opposed to the work for
which they were elected. All the rest
showed hearty concurrence and a de-
sire to attend when the constitution
should be formulated. One noticeable
feature of the meeting was that the
so-called Mexican" counties were
most fully represented From Rio
Arriba, four delegates were present;
and-Taos, Mora, San Miguel, Santa
Fe, Valencia, ct cetera, had enthusias-
tic representatives. On February 9Th,
the adjourned session was held The
representation was general and many
absent delegates expressed their
readiness to attend at the regular
business session. After an earnest dis
cussion as to the method OF proceed
ure, 1t was concluded to ask the Leg.
islature to pass an act calling a ses.
sion of the convention in August to
formulate the constitution and pro-
vide for its submission, and COM
mittee consisting of Messrs. Catron,
Bursum, Slower, G. p. Sanchez and
Jose Gonzales, with the chairman and
Secretary White, was appointed 70
prepare bill for this purpose. This
was done and the bill introduced by
Speaker Baca. Unfortunately, there
was some adverse influence, and al
though the matter was earnestly arg
ued before the committee, the bill was
never reported and SO the opportunity
to hold the convention in August was
lost. So far as know, everyone now
agrees that this was mistake; but
the plan now proposed by Delegate
Andrews to hold the convention in
November or December under a call
from the governor will still put us in
good position. 1t is proper to say, right
here, that the New Mexican has, from
first to last, been the strong support
er of the plan to hold a New Mexico
convention.
The Advantages Are Evident.
THE advantages of presenting our
selves to Congress with constitu-
tion already prepared, are evident.
Firstly, the unfortunate muddle in
Oklahoma has caused Congress to
doubt the character of constitution
left to a future body. BY formulating
an excellent instrument, land there
is no reason that we canpot have
the best in the country We disarm
all objection from uncertainty, and at
once gain the confidence of Congress
and the country at large. Again, we
can adopt much better constitution
in advance, when everyone knows that
each section will be carefully examin-
ed and criticized, than if it is prepar-
ed after an enabling act, when there
is no restraint, and all kinds of influ-
ences are at work, as in Oklahoma.
$50 far as | can see there is every
reason to hold the convention, form
ulate the best possible constitution,
and ask for immediate admission, with
an election next spring to vote on the
constitution and at the same time
elect full set of state officers. We
will thus resume our proper position
as American citizens and be ready to
take an active part in the Presidential
election"