Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-12-18
CONGRESS WANTS
LAST SHOT At
TERRITORIES
If People Don't be Good and
Adopt Such and Such a Con-
stitution the Stuff is All off
Again.
Morning Journal Bureau,
613 Munsey Building.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 16.

Just to make sure hat the states Of
Arizona and New Mexico shall not try
to cut any New Z~ealandish didoes in
their constitutions, congress may de-
eide on a method by which it will be
able to wise those Instruments after
the states adopt them, and, %thereupon
decide whether states with such fun
damental instruments ought to be adj
mitted to the union.
And If the proposed constitutions
are found to bear any particular re-
semblance to the constitution of Okla
homa, it may be set down hat the
states will have to wait awhile before
they get in.
n more Oklahoma constitutions
is the watchword of the administra-
ton and of the house committee on
territories, in connection with the ar
rangements for admission of the two
new states. President Taft is deeply
interested in the effort to prevent the
new states making radical departures
in their basic statutes, n the house
committee is trying TO. figure out a
way to guarantee against anything Of
the sort.
To his end the new statehood bill
that has been introduced by Congress-
man Hamilton of Michigan, chairman
of the committee on territories, pro-
vides for two elections; one for the
adoption of the constitution, at which
nothing else shall be considered, and
the other for election of officers. In
this way it is hoped to get close con-
sideration of the constitution n q
chance to reject ii if it is TOO radical.
But there is a disposition to provide
that, ever after the states shall have
adopted their constitutions, congress
shall have a chance to pass on those
Instruments. The bill as now drawn
does not provide for this. 1t gives the
president the responsibility To decide
whether the constitutions are salts
factory, before he issues his procla-
nation declaring them admitted.
Some of the conservatives in congress
want a requirement that congress
shall pass on the new constitutions.
The limitations which are placed
about the presidents discretion in the
are so marked that it Is feared
he might feel compelled to let in a
state with a constitution which he
could MT entirely approve
on the other hand there is objection
having congress pass on the new
constitutions. on the ground that il
would project congress into an inter-
minable discussion of all the ''isms' of
the constitution making, Cwith no GER
tainty that ii would lei be settled,
and with assurance n a the discus
sion would develop a lot of uncom-
politics. 1t would almost GER
tainly become a party measure, in
fashion, If sent back to congress
this way.
The outlook for statehood this ses-
sion is not brilliant. The Senate COM
is not friendly, Chairman Bev-
fridge is frankly opposed, and some
If the members of the house com
believe neither territory is
-eady for statehood. There is be-
ieved to be a good chance that
he territories will again be disap-
though Chairman Hamilton
If the house committee, is confident
he bill will pass.
Delegate Cameron or Arizona has
Introduced q bill in the house author |