Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-27
SLOW ON STATEHOOD
Congress Legislation Limited
at This Session.
SOME OBJECTIONS FOUND
Provision for New Mexico and Ari-
IONA Constitutional Conventions
About All to Be Done.
SOME OBJECTIONS FOUND

1t now seems probable that statehood
legislation at the present session of Con-
gress will not go beyond giving author
ity to the people of New Mexico and
Arizona to hold constitutional conven-
lions and provide the means for such
conventions. This program Is in har-
mony with the message Of President
Taft.
During the last session of the Sixtieth
Congress the House passed a bill to adj
NIT both New Mexico and Arizona as
separate states. 1t was predicted that
the measure would go through the Sem
ate in short order. Such was not the
mittee was held, and the sentiment was
entirely against hasty action.
Don't Like Certain Features.
Some of the members Of the Senate
committee did not like the looks Of
some of certain land grants to indi-
viduals, which had been received under
territorial administration. Some Of the
claims for large holdings under Spanish
grants were also viewed with suspicion.
Furthermore. the estimates coming from
the territories as to population. both as
to numbers and class. were not accept
ed, and 1t was thought best to delay &C
ton until after the 1910 decennial GEN.
sus could be completed.
Mr.. Taft's recommendations. it is said,
will supply the excuse for delay. The
President urges that care be exercised
in the preparation of the legislation
affecting each territory to secure DELHI
Grafton in the selection Of persons as
members Of the convention to draft a
constitution Of the incoming state and
that such constitution after adoption by
the convention shall be submitted to the
people of the territory for their ap-
proval at an election, in which the sole
issue shall be the merits of the constt-
tuition
Avoiding Complications.
In the case Of the adoption of the con-
stitution for Oklahoma the election was
complicated with the selection of state
officers, and Mr.. Taft is determined that
this situation shall not recur in the cases
of New Mexico and Arizona In the
event of there being no issue before the
people of each of the territories except
the adoption or the rejection of the con-
stitutiOn it is believed the best judgment
of the people will prevail
Should the conventions draft constitu-
tions which do not adequately protect
the public interests in the matter Of safe
guarding public lands and natural re-
sources and these constitutions should
be adopted by votes Of the people Of the
territories the President could reject
them If he desired, and Congress could
again open the way TOR the adoption of
satisfactory constitutions. This 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 to them.
The indications are that a bill will be
passed at this session providing the
means for the holding Of constitutional
conventions and for elections to pass upon
the question of adopting or rejecting the
constitutions 1t is believed that the eff
feet will be to insure good state consti-
tutions and make 1t certain that two
new stars will be added to the flag within
a year from the date Of adjournment of
the present Congress