Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-10-16
Navajo Indian Blanket rendered Mrs.
Taft by Albuquerque Business Men.
FURTHER STAND FOR STATEHOOD
Takes IL for Granted that Territories
VIII he Admitted TO Union
Addresses Red Men and
Gives Them Advice.

NANtH AuNANNs
ALBUQUERQUE, N. NJ, Oct, l5-Presi-
dent Taft had another day Of travel
through the far southwest today. and,
traverslng the long reaches OF the territory
Of New Mexico had a glimpse Of some Of
the most ancient adobes in America leav,
ing the train at one time to go into the
plaza Of a pueblo TO witness an Indian
dance especially arranged.
The color Of the southwest tinted his
reception at all the various stops along the
way. Arriving here at s o'clock the presi.
dent was greeted by one of the largest
audiences Of his territorial trip of the last
three days and aroused intense 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 tho
people OF Arizona and New Mexico arc
gratified.
The president spoke from a platform
near the railroad station and was later
entertained at a banquet at the Alvarado
hotel by the Commercial club.
Following the banquet the president
stopped half an hour at the Montezuma
ball. an annual function rivalng the Mardi
Gras
1t was at Laguana, a township made up
entirely Of Indians, that the president was
met by a local committee OF Indians and
where he lad one of,the most unique enter
tainments of his trip.
Indians Give Presents.
AS he sat in little canopied stand in
the plaza enclosed with adobe huts and
walls. the president was showered with
presents. There were blankets of gaudy
colors Indian beads and ether offerings
which the red men had fashioned in his
honor. The plaza itself, the walls and the
terraced roofs of the adobe houses were
lined with Indians, the squaws being at
tired in fantastic costumes which showed
all the brighter under the glare OF an un-
clouded sun.
There was hardly squaw in the pueblo
that did not have a bright-eyed, chubby
faced little pappoose either in her arms
or swung on her back. More little Indian
boys and girls were arranged in a long
row to welcome the president and each
one carried an American flag.
AS the president was leaving the plaza
after the weird music of the tom-toms
had died away and the last steps OF the
SOlhaHCilo uduCS ldh u6Gil ldhtl Dg lne
gaudily- -bonneted braves, the little chill
dren sang a song of New Mexico. The
president stopped several minutes to lis
ten. The tune was that of Maryland,
My Maryland"
From the plaza, crowded by a curious
throng of Indians, the president went to
the church, an adobe building In a little
speech, spoken slowly and with emphasis
on each syllable in order that all who
spoke English at all might understand,
the president assured the Indians of the
good will of the government and urged
them to be good farmers and good artisans.
He was warmly applauded and every In
dian wanted TO shake his hand. These
evidences of interest and, II might be said
Of enthusiasm. were unique, coming from
such stolid race.
| Talks TO the Red Men.
In his address to the Indians Mr.. Taft
said
Il want to convey to the Laguana and
Acoma Indians, who / understand constI-
tutes those present, the good will of the
government of the United States. hope
that the Indians whom / am addressing
are working industriously in the vocation
which they know-agriculture. and in other
!
flocks, their herds and all the products of
the soil may be profitable TO them. and
that they may continue to live in comfort
under the auspices Of the government, that
is pledged to look after their welfare. l
hope the children are being educated so
they may grow up TO be good men and
women and good citizens Of the United
| States"
The president was met this morning a
Gallup by Governor Curry OF New MexioSl
and committee Of citizens made UP lareiy
Of a delegation from the Albuquerque
Chamber Of Commerce. He was cordially
welcomed into the territory and assured the
committee that he was glad to be here.
lie was presented with an especially at
tractive Navajo blanket for Mrs. Taft. II
was woven by the same Indian squaw, Ellie
of Ganado. who made the blanket which
was presented Mrs. Roosevelt at the time
of the former presidents visit TO this
city
In all of his speeches today the president
again urged the people of Arizona and
New Mexico to take time and TO deliberate
in the formation Of their new state consti-
tuition. once they have been admitted to
the union. The president seems to take il
for granted that statehood is soon to come
10 the territories, although he is careful
to say that his authority is only OF the
executive and that the first action must
come from the legislative branch OF the
government.
Postmaster General Hitchcock, who Is
accompanying the president through the
southwest, in an address az Grand Canon
last night, paid a striking compliment q
The people Of this section and declared
that he hoped their ambitions for statehood
soon would be realized In his address
70 the people OF New Mexico the president
said;
Further Strnd for statehood.
Il am glad that you are orthodox IN thii
community and believe IN future state
/ might have had some other impression
4 had not come through a territory yes
terday that intimated 70 me that thsr,