Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-02-06
FAVOR HOLDING
CONVENTION
Constitutional Dele
gates Meet in
Capital.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED
To Confer With Legislature
Relative to Meeting in
August.


The committee appointed on Janu-
ary 7th at the meeting of delegates
elected to the Constitutional Conven.
ton, held at that time, met yesterday
in the court room OIL the Supreme
Court in the Capitol. Notwithstanding
the distances and the fact that now
there are no passes, all parts Of the
Territory were represented
Many Delegates Attended.
From the extreme east there came
G. G. Davidson of Quay County; from
the west, Edward Hart of Mckinley
from the north were Jose Ignacio Gar
cia, E. D. Leon of Costilla and Cerro,
and A. G. Pacheco, of Arroyo Seco,
near the Colorado line, in Taos
County and the far south was repre-
sented by Jose Gonzales from Dona
Ana. The central counties sent Gov
ernor L. S. Stover. from Bernalillo,
Boleslo Romero from Valencia; H. O..
Bursum from Socorro, Gavino P.
Sanchez, from Mora, l.. B. Prince and
NJ. S. Salazar, from Rio Arriba. and
T. B. Catron, ]. w. Akers and David
NJ White, from Santa Fe Colonel
Prichard, of Lincoln, had been com
PEELED to leave town on pressing legal
business and Hon. T. D. Burns had
been called to Aliquiu by the serious
illness of Mrs. Jose Pablo Gallegos
AS this was the first meeting of the
committee. it was organized by elect
ing Hon. l.. Bradford Prince of Rio
Arrlba, as chairman, and David NJ
White of Santa Fe, secretary.
Favor Holding Convention.
Mr.. White read number of letters
from members of the committee. OK
pressing their interest in the holding
of the convention, but explaining the
inconvenience of attending this meet
ing. Jay Turley of San Juan wrote
that in making surveying contracts he
expressly reserved the time to be
used in attending the convention when
held. F. D. Morse, of Santa Rosa
telegraphed that he would come If
necessary. and was strongly in favor
of the. convention. Several suggested
desirable dates for the meeting, all
practically agreeing on the summer as
the best season.
Members Should Have Expenses Paid.
The chairman explained that this
committee had been appointed to con
fer with the Legislature as to the
best course of action. 1t was obvious
that statehood could now only be OBJ
tanned by active. efforts in the Terri.
tory Congress had proposed plan
and that had failed 1t was now for
us to act. Delegates were already
chosen and thus the delay and ex-
pense of an election was saved One
year and probably two, could be
gained by forming a constitution and
presenting it to Congress with re-
quest for immediate admission. So
far as known almost every active
friend of New Mexico statehood was
in favor of holding the convention,
and the only differences were as to
details. Some thought that no ex-
pense was necessary, that if the Legis-
lature would request the delegates to
meet and act, they would do SO as a
patriotic service and pay their own
expenses; some others thought that
the expense of clerical help, printing,
ETC., should be provided for and others
believed that many delegates could
not afford to give their time and tray
cling expenses and that a moderate
appropriation should be made to cover
such charges and for necessary cler-
cal assistance. These were questions
to be considered and discussed with
he Legislature.
Month Of August Best Time.
Hon. T. B. Catron made a strong
seech in favor of holding the conven-
ion in August. He was perfectly will
ng to give his own time, but he knew
here were many delegates who were
not able to do so and to pay travelling
and he believed that actual
expenses should be paid and fair
appropriation made for clerks, print
ing, etc. The business was of the ut
most importanc to New Mexico and
he Territory could well afford to pay
l fair amount to cover the expenses
involved. The convention need,not be
ong; thirty days was the outside
init, probably three weeks was am
,le. He drew attention to the fact
hat large majority Of the new states
lad been admitted without any En-
lbling Act, but on their own action in
lolding convention, forming a con-
and asking for admission
Hon. IT. 0. Bursum was heartily in
avor of every effort for statehood,
,ut thought the most of the work
ould be done by a moderate sized
committee and then the whole con.
'ention of delegates could meet to act
lnally on all the sections of the pro
,osed constitution. This would save |
expenses.
'ome Could Not Bear Own Expenses. |
Governor e. s. Slower had been in
avor of having no appropriation. His
colleague, Mr.. Klock, was anxious for
he convention, but also wished to pay
lis own expenses. Governor Slower,