Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-01-28
.CONGRESSMEN TO
VISIT new MEXICO
Committee Will Look Into Claims
at Close Quarters During
Summer More Lands
For Public
Schools.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 2S.-(Spe-
alaD Mexico will not secure a
statehood enabling act from the
present congress at this session.
This statement is made on good
authority. Governor Curry and
Messrs. Luna. Prince, Kelly, Roberts
and other New Mexicans, it Is under
stood, have given up trying to ac-
complish anything under present con-
ditions and will not talk statehood
further at this session.
1t is understood they decided to
temporarily drop the fight for state
hood until the coming December
following lengthy conference today
with President Roosevelt. the vice
president, Speaker Cannon and the
chairman of both the senate and
house committees on territories.
Congressional Committee Coming.
But the statehood delegation has
accomplished something which is of
great Importance. 1t has secured
definite date for the next statehood
bill in congress and made arrange
ments for large and representative
committee from both the senate and
the coming summer,
This committee will make a COM
plete investigation of the conditions
prevailing in the territory and see
the class of citizens who demand
admission to the union.
One thing the delegation made
plain to the members of congress and
that was that New Mexico is deter
mil tn ID
not be refused much longer.
The opponents of statehood in
congress were forced to show their
hands and the statehood movement
has gained more real strength than
IL ever had before in Washington.
Governor Curry, while he hoped to
accomplish more, is satisfied that the
very best possible under existing con-
ditions has been done and that the
statehood movement is in better shape
for progress than at any time in its
history.
Strong support Secured.
Moreover, il is reported and gem
orally believed here that Governor
Curry National Committeeman Luna
and their fellow delegates. have Sc
cured promises Of aid when the
from a number OF the most inhuent-
ial men in Washington, among them
being the president. II is also re-
ported that Speaker Cannon, who
has quietly opposed statehood, has
made admissions of n most promise
ing nature to the New Mexicans
The large delegation of represen-
tative men from all parts of the ter
Natf fs Wurl. va-Ng. "A
Washington to work for statehood
will not be called upon at this time.
Governor Curry, while admitting
today. that the campaign would be
held In allegiance said that the state
hood fight had not been called off in
any manner, shape or form, and
that the people of New Mexico would
never consent to the fight being
dropped.
The governor, however. admitted
that until the next session OF con-
gress IL would be impossible to Sc
cure the legislation needed and the
real fight will not come until that
time.
Governor Boosts New Mexico.
Governor Curry said in an inter-
view. that there was no better state
III the union lndu lne territory OF
New Mexico would make, IL given
her rights. He said that twenty
thousand hOmeseekers had begun the
development Of lands in the territory
during the past year and that New
Mexico was forging so rapidly to the
front that statehood was a necessity
In order not to retard development
Governor Curry, Solomon Luna,
and Mr.. Kelly will remain in Wash
iEgton for several weeks on matters
Of importance TO New Mexico. They
are engaged in aiding Delegate An
drews, who is cooperating with the
FL Paso delegation in working for an
additional appropriation for the Ele-
phant Butte project The New Mex
leans are also after half a million
acres OF public land to aid the
schools Of the territory,
While there Is considerable doubt
thar a bin for public buildings will
be passed by congress, still in the
event OF its passage the cities OF Las
Vegas and OF Roswell VIII be given
first consideration In New Mexico.