Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-03-08
a CoMMENDABLE PROJECT.

II " q time honored axiom OF
philosophy that circumstances alter
eases" Not long & q proposition was
made to hold a constitutional conven-
ton In New Mexico under auspices
which would have opened the way for
a bunch of machine politicians 20
spend q delightful sunmer at Santa
~. at the public expense, without
the slightest probability Of cor
pllshing any good. But the scheme
was promptly nippcd In the bud, and
public sentiment sat down upor II
hard.
Now, 1t appears. another propchi-
tlon has been brought forward along
the same line. but under radically
different circumstances. and one
which, as detailed In our Santa re
dispatches this morning, viii be likCly
20 meet the cordial endorsement Of
tho public.
The gist OF the new proposition, as
we understand IL. is to I've official
recognition to u convention, TO be
composed Of patriotic citizens from
all sections of the territory. who,
serving at their " expense. may
frame a constitution under which e
shah ask the next session of congress
20 admit as to thu union~~after the.
document shall have been voted on
and approved by a majority OF the
voters Of the territory.
II Is provided that the convention
shall be strictly non-partlsan. the
delegates being npportionod 70 the
different counties OF the territory ac-
cording TO the vote cast for delegate
last falL and divided between the two
principal parties on the basis Of the
vote east for their respective condi-
dates Tor congress. Az win
be seen, this would mako the nu-
merical strength Of the two parties
Ia the convention almost exactly even,
since the republican plurality, in the
entire territory, AZ the last election
Tor delegate was only a fraction
over three hundred. -.
There are probably thousands Of
practical. able and earnest men In the
territory. whose patriotism. ana whose
desire for statehood, would cause
them "a chcorfuliy give their services
10 the public. without pay. for the
or ninety days necessary to ac-
eomplish the work, while the political
trickstcrs aud gangstors. who are IN
politics for revenue only. would see
no business In a Job that did not
carry any salary or any %porquisitca.
and would be conspicuous only by
ahseusc.
II is argued. and with good reason
by the friends Of the proposition, that
an instrument formed ~ such q pro
loss aud under such conditions, would
be- crcdltahlc to tho territory. would
lo much 10 remove tho bad odor in
which we have put ourselves by rcr-
go much OF our public bust.
lrss to he attended 60 ia the past by
heap men who do not Ia any sense
.eprcscnt the solid. honest and pro-
,%rrssive elements of the territory.
md that it would therefore do much
.ood In paving the way for our adj /
mission. {
AZ least We would not have 10 take |
uy great risk in permitting such a
proposition 20 have a fair trial. II /.
.onld b. a good advertisement for Ms. q
nd the very fact or showing to tho !
that the better elements of !
ur citizenship were willing to throw a
themselves into the breach. and at "a
ieir expense, in the interest or
nd progressive government o
1uld not fail TO do ms good m the 81
yes of the world. II would serve 10 y
the graft element 20 the rear. i
J. At ans ate 80 much OF It that itlt'
ouid ease 10 be the ruling force in y
If poiitics-and that o. che sort OF
housc-clcaning that We have 81
an the time. and the lack of o.
hlch has brought the most or our r,
ouolos upon us. c,
rle fault dear Brutus. d not in
our stars.
ut loo ourselves that wc ate under G
ling- Ia