New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-16
TAFT IN NEW MEXICO.
Speaks to Indians and on Statehood
-CranE arrested.

Albuquerque NJ NJ, Oct ls-President Taft had
another day Of travel through the Far Southwest
to-day and traversing the long reaches of the Ter
ritory OF New Mexico. had glimpse or some OF the
most ancient adobes I'm America. He left the train
at one time to go into the plaza of pueblo to wit
ness an Indian dance especially arranged in his
honor.
Shouting, where is Taft7 1 want to kill him!"
Thomas Thorpe. aged prospector. approached
policeman to-day, few minutes after President
Taft and his party had arrived here, Thorpe was
arrested He had acted queerly all day. and at
noon asked the Chief Of Police number Of ques-
tons which led the chief to have him watched.
The color of the Southwest tinted Mr.. Tafts re-
ception at all stops along the way. Arriving at
o'clock the President was greeted by one Of the
largest audiences OF his territorial tEip Of the last
three days. He aroused great 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 20 that the long deferred hopes
of the people of Arizona and New Mexico are graft
fed.
The President spoke from a platform the
railroad station and later was entertained at
dinner at the AIvarado Hotel by the Commercial
Club After the dinner the President stopped half
hour at the Montezuma ball. an annuai aHaT
rivalling a Mardi Gras fete.
In his address to the Indians at Iaguna Mr.. Taft
said:
/, want to convey to the LagHna and Acoma
ts g w6S viii of e sovnmea Of s ud
States I hope that the Indians whom / am
lions which they know-agricuIture and in other
OF am T h9B that fh Soil hes ax
be profitable TO them. and that they may continue
eminent G xs that is pedged to look after their We'll
fare. 1 hope the children being educated so
and good citizens OF the United States.
ADVICE ON STATEHOOD.
In all his speeches to-day the President again
urged the people of Arizona and New Mexico to
take time and to deliberate in the formation Of
their new state constitution once they have been
admitted to the Union. The President seems to
take IL for granted that statehood is to come
to the territories. although he is careful to say
that his authority is only that Of the Executive,
and the first action must come from Congress
In his address to the people Of New Mexico the
President said:
am glad to see that you orthodox in this
community and believe in future state. | might
through a territory yesterday that intmated TO me
fn ina there mere % Gn hey had adj With ref
to becoming state. but that they preferred
ton.
Now, my friends. I might just as well make the
announcement now, to relieve any doubt on
the subject. that was elected on a platform that
and Arizona as separate states and that far
I can properly exercise any influence as the Chief
eSpee TO exercise that influence to carry out
that promise of the platform ON which was
You are looking forward to statehood if it were
be a considerable difference between heaven and
that state after you become one; that you will have
a great many responsibilities that you don't have
and good many difficulties, the weight and
burden of which you don't now appreciate. There
are quite number Of preliminary steps that you
have to take.
You have TO draft a constitution. and that is
going 90 affect the character of your state for
time and deliberation to make good constitution,
and not harness yourselves up with lot of
stricttons that will really interfere with the
growth of your state.
Don't put into your constitution provision as
to the length of the linen sheets to be put in a
hotel IL may be that they ought to be limited.
1t may be that they ought to made of a certain
size. / sympathiZe with that feeling myself But
the constitution is not the proper place to put 1T.
You want to trust your Legislature and you ought
TO follow the model of the constitution Of of
the older states, which have also modelled after
the Constitution OF the United States.
An amendment to the constitution is difficult
thing, finding out now in attempting to
amend the federal Constitution, and you will find
il in the state constitutions Therefore, put there
only general principles, and don't attempt to legs-
late every fad of every man who is Voluble and
gets into your constitutional convention. say this
with great deal of fervor not as partisan,
a Republican Democrat, but in the interest
of your state as state. whether you vote the Re
publican the Democratic ticket
want, If we responsible for your coming into
the Union. as / am willing to be and the Repub-
can party is willing to be, that should justify
that admission by making yourselves a progressive
but at the same time conservative community.