Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1909-11-29
FIRM
FOR STATEHOOD
Had Important Part in Selec-
ton of Governor for
New Mexico
LUNA BRINGS ASSURANCE
New Mexico's National Commit
teeman Had Four Conferen-
ces With Taft.

That President Taft is interested
heart and soul in the work of secur-
ing the admission of New Mexico TO
statehood at the coming session of
congress, and that much of the luke
warmness prevalent in various quar-
ters of the east concerning the Terri
tory'S claims, is giving away TO de-
sire to see justice done to New Mexi-
co. were the reassuring statements
made to an Albuquerque Morning
Journal representative last evening
by National Committeeman Solomon
Luna, who returned yesterday noon
from Washington, where he has been
for the past two weeks on matters in
cident to the appointment OF a sue
cessOr to Governor Curry.
Il have been going to Washington
in the interest of statehood and other
territorial matters for the past six
teen years" said Mr.. Luna, and l
can say that never before have |
found such favorable sentiment
amcng the party leaders toward the
passage of an enabling act for New
Mexico.
My trip to Washington was pri-
marily on business connected with
the selection of a man to succeed
Governor Curry as chief executive
Of the Territory" continued Mr.. Luna,
and | had four conferences with the
President. At each conference Mr..
Taft preached the statehood question
himself and assured me that he was
heart and soul in sympathy with New
Mexico in her fight for admission and
would do all in his power to help us
along.
"Mr. Taft seemed so confident that
New Mexico will be mode state at
the coming session that the statehood
question entered largely into his plans
in the selection of a governor. He
stated to me during our first confer
ence that he desired to appoint a
lawyer to the office, as it would be
necessary for the new governor to
take the lead in the matter of con-
structing a constitution for the state
of New Mexico during the next eight
or nine months"
Mr. Luna said that the name OF
Nathan Jaffa, secretary of the Terri
tory, was carefully considered as a
successor to Governor Curry both by
nd Nv
retary of the interior, who was pres
ent at the several conferences at
which the matter was discussed.
The President was much impressed
with the recommendations made in
favor of Mr.. Jaffa," said Mr.. Luna
g but decided that it would be better
at this time to have the new governor
a man learned in the law, and that he
should be a New Mexico man. The
name of Chief Justice Mills was
agreed upon and his appointment fol-
lowed"
The vacancy caused on the bench
as the result of the appointment of
Judge Mills to be governor and the
subsequent appointment of Judge Will
liam H. Pope to be chief justice, has
not yet been filled.
MIR. Taft desired to make per-
sonal appointment to fill the vacancy
on the bench" said Mr.. Luna, and
no candidates for the position were
recommended by me-"
Mr.. Luna stated during a general
discussion of statehood matters that
Senator Borah of Idaho, would be one
of New Mexico's chief champions and
that he would lead the fight on the
floor for the passage of the bill. Mr..
Borah contemplated visiting New
Mexico during the fall to secure data
regarding its population and resour-
ces. Urgent business detained him in
the east, however, and he will secure
the information from Mr.. Ballinger,
secretary of the interior