The Ordway new era., 1909-10-22
PRESIDENT At
ALBUQUERQUE
sTRoNoLY IN FAVOR OF STATE.
HOOD FOR ARIZONA AND NEW
MEXICO.
VISITS AN OLD PUEBLO
GIVES SOME EXCELLENT AD.
VICE TO BOTH INDIANS AND
AMERICANS.

Albuquerque. n. M-President Taft
had another day OF travel through the
far Southwest Friday and traycrsing
the long reaches Of the territory OF
o, the most ancient adobes in Amer
lea. leaving the train at one time to
go into the plaza OF u pueblo to wit
ness an Indian dance. especially ar.
ranged.
The color of the Southwest tinted
his reception at all the various stops
along the way.
Arriving here at 3 o'closk. the presi-
dent was greeted by one of the largest
audiences of his territorial travels OF
the past three days and aroused In
tense enthusiasm by a repetition OF
the declarations he made in Arizona
that he favored statehood for the two
remaining territories Of the United
States and would do all in his power
to see that the long-deferred hopes OF
the people of Arizona and New Mexico
are gratified.
1t was at Laguna. a township made
up entirely of Indians. that the presi.
dent was met by local committee OF
Indians and where he had one OF the
most unique entertainments OF his
trip.
As he sat In little canopied stand
in the plaza enclosed with adobe huts
and walls. the president was show
cred with presents. There were blan-
kets OF gaudy color. Indian bread and
other offerings which the red men had
fashioned In mis- honor.
The plaza itself. the walls and the
terraced roofs OF the adobe houses
were lined with Indians. the squaws
being attired in fantastic costumes
which seemed all the brighter under
the glare of an unclouded sun. Ana
there was hardly squaw in the pu'
eblo that did not have brighteyed'
chubby-Iaced little papoosc either IN
her arms or swung In hammock Oh
her back. More little Indian boys ana
girls were arranged In n long row to
welcome the president and each one
carried an American flag.
AS the president was leaving the
nloza. after the weird music OF the tom
toms had died away and the last steps
of the Comanche dance had been taken
by the gaudily bonnetted braves. the
little children sang song OF New
Mexico.
The president stopped several min
utes to listen. The tune was That OF
Maryland. My Maryland"
From the plaza, crowded by n Curl
GUS throng OF Indians. the president
went to the church. an adobe building.
In n little speech. spoken slowly ana
with emphasis on each syllable, In or
der that all who understood English Mt
all might understand. the president
assured the Indians Of the good VIII
of the government and urged them 10
he good farmers and good artisans.
He was warmly applauded and every
Indian wanted to shake his hand.
These evidences of interest and It
might be said of such enthusiasm were
unique, coming from such u stolid
race.
In all of his speeches during the
day the president again urged the
peoplc OF Arizona and New Mexico to
take time and to deliberate in the for
nation of their new state constitu-
tions, once they have been admitted to
the Union.
In his address to the people OF New
Mexico the President said:
81 am glad to see that you are or
thodox in this community and believe
I'm future state. I might have had
some other impression II l had not
come through territory yesterday
that intimated to me that there were
people on this side of the line that
had the same views that they had with
reference to becoming state, but that
they preferred to have each commu-
uity work out its own salvation.
Now, my friends. might just as
well make the announcement now so
as to relieve any doubt on the subject.
that was elected on platform that
declared in favor of the admission OF
New Mexico and Arizona rs separate
states, and that SO far rs l can prop
erly exercise any influence as the
chief executive, for, bear in mind.
am not the legislator. l expect to ex-
ercise that influence to carry out that
promise of the platform on which 1
was elected"