Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-12-27
No STATEHOOD
At PRESENT
SESSION
CLAIMS OF TERRITORY
AROUSE SUSPICION
Presidents Message Urging
DeIiberation Used as Excuse
for Another Delay May Get
in After Census is aiken,


GBy Morning journal Special Leased wlreI
Washington, Dee. 26.-Statehood
legislation at the present session of
congress Will not go beyond giving
authority to the people of New MeNi-
co and Arizona to hold constitutional
conventions and provide the means for
such conventions, if the wishes of
leading members of congress dictate
the policy This program is in har-
mony with the message of President
Taft
In the last session Of the siXtieth
congress the house passed bill to
admit New Mexico and Arizona rs
separate states. 1t was predicted that
the measure would go through the
senate in short order Such was not
the case, however. Some OF the
mem bers of the senate committee did
not like the looks of some certain
land grants to individuals which had
been received under territorial ad-
ministration. Some of the claims for
large holdings under Spanish grants
were also viewed with suspicion, Fur
thermore the estimates coming from
the territories as to population, both
as to numbers and class were not
accepted and it was thought best to
delay action until after the 1910 de-
cennial cencus could be completed.
Mr. Tafts recommendations, it is
said, will supply the excuse for de-
lay. The president urges that care
q exercised in the preparation of
legislation affecting each territory to
secure deliberation in the selection OF
persons as members of the conXen=
ton to draft a constitution of the IN
coming state" and that that such
legislation. after adoption by the con
vention, shall be submitted to the
people for their approval at an elec-
ton in which the sole issue shall be
the merits of the constitution.
In the case of the adoption of the
constitution for oklahoma the cleo
tion was complicated with the selec-
ton OF state officers, and Mr.. Tart Is
determined this situation shali not oe-
cur in the cases of New Mexico ana
Arizona In the event of their being
no issue before the people of each OF
the territories except the adoption or
rejection Of the constitution, il is be-
lieved the best judgment Of the people
will prevail
should the conventions draft con-
stitutions which do not adequately
protect public interests in the matter
of safeguarding public lands and ma
tional resources. and should those con-
stitutions be adopted by votes of the
people Of the territories, the president
could reject them if he desired and
congress again could open the way for
the adoption OF satisfactory consttu-
tons. This. of course. was well nigh
impossible in the case of oklahoma,
as the people had expressed their
choice Of state officers and justice had
to be done them.
The Indications are that bill will
be passed at this session providing for
the means of holding constitutional
conventions ana for elections to pass
upon the question of adopting or re-
iecting the constitutions. 1t is be-
lieved that the effect will be to insure
good state constitutions and make ii
certain that two new stars will be
added to the flag within a year of the
adjournment of the present congress.