Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-03-09
LET Us HAVE A SQUARE DEAL

Tho measure that was recently
brought before congress for the adj
mission Of New Mexico to the union
as q state. went through the lower
house without a word of objection. It
went 10 the senate. ana into the hands
Of the committee on territories, and
there remained without a voice being
raised against II tin within two or
three days Of the close OF the session
and then when i WAS too late for the
friends Of tho measure 10 enter upon
i defensive or explanatory course,
charges were forthcoming 10 the en-
feet that the clique, or gang. In con-
troll Of political affaira in this terri
tory was 50 rotten and with Il record
30 odious that 1t would be a national
disgrace for congress TO permit this
territory, OF II territory, to become
a state under sucl auspices. As was
Inevitable under such circumstances.
the bill was indefinitely postponed,
aud unless proper action Is taken by
tie general government meantime,
the next attempt Of the territory to
gain admission 10 the union viii noc-
essariiy meet the samo fate.
Now, Il * not our purpose at this
time 10 enter upon Il discussion Of the
truth OF falsits Of these charges, or
any Of them. Whcthor true or false,
Ia whole or In part, the duty OF the
federal government Is the same, and
equally plain, and that is 20 make n
thorough Investigation in the premises
n determine beyond any reasonable
Or untrue This is a work aMlurh the
territory cannot do. II Is On trial,
and for II 10 submit n report dcclhr-
ing the charges unfounded would be
simply a plea OF mot guilty" by al
party under Indictment New Mexico,
guardianship of the federal govern
inent. It has 10 autonomy OF It's own
and its legislature has no authority 90
PASS even a dog Law except by the
R%ufferance of congress Under these
circumstances therefore, II becomes
tho plain duty OF tho federal govern
ment-a duty which II OWES TO the
whole country. and especially TO the
decent ami respectable citizens OF
New Mexico-to probe this mattor to
the bottom. and either establish the
truth of these charges. and institute
the necessary measure OF reform. or
show tho nntruthfulness of them. aud
thus remove this damaging cloud
from tho reputation OF the territory,
such an investigation was under
taken by the general government
some two years ago, II was put into
the hands % an honest and capable
man, whose understanding OF the
matter was that he was here to learn
the truth. but Il IS claimed that whom
he hogan "a get close enough to the
truth 10 make things uncomfortable
for some people. ne was called off,
and thus the case stands today This
max or may not have been the reason
the Investigation was discontinued,
but at any rate IL caves the territory
under suspicion. and IL is the plain
duty of the federal government 10
tho law abiding people OF New Mex
loo to clear up the whole matter with
as little delay as possible
There are NJ least four hundred
thousand citizens of New Mexico
today. who have como TO make I
their homes here They are in {
d%ustrious intelligent. SELF support @
ing people. and i'm an tibet qualities
and attributes of modern civilization
are peer 10 those ~ amy average ,
communitv in my part Of b
United States They are anxious, as q
100 America citizens sholld be, 20 De d
admitted TO fun fellowship Ia the fam a
#y Of states. and those rights and priv C.
Of local self government wn. % v
100 other American citizens nioy. J. h
admitted by congress and ~ the %
40 large hat they are In pos o.
.esslon of an the material attribute u
have ever been required of ans %
community asking admission e" o
Doe union. but they are hold up 90 u
.he threshold 81 the union hy certain n
moral charges which have been pre- b
'rrrea against them. aud which by Al
easaH 81 THE subordinate political po- "a
ation la which thry are held. they az, n
1rbarrod from refuting Therefore, y
hey ask Of the present administra- o
lion as q simple matter of Justice. a. ],
) plain square deal hat tho federal b
government viii take tho necessary Ia
az once 20 make, without favor u
Itlsm or prejudice. a fun ana search r.
Iug Investigation OF an these charges a