New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-18
TWO NEW STATES.

Statehood for Arizona and New Mex
leo seems now assured, although the
joint enabling act, which Congress is
expected 10 pass at this session, Will
contain the novel condition that the con-
stitutions adopted by the new common
wealths must be approved not only by
the executive but by the legislative
department. Some delay may result
from that innovation, for the approval
of a sIow-moving, two-chamber body
like Congress is harder to obtain than
the approval of an individual judge Of
what's what in constitutions, like the
President Oklahoma'S multifarious or
ganic act is responsible for this addi-
tional check put upon yagaries Of consti-
tuition makers in commemorative desir-
Gus of entering the Union.
Arizona and New Mexico have long
knocked at the door and been put off on
the plea of immaturity. The territory
out Of which they were formed was ac-
quired from Mexico under a promise to
give its inhabitants the benefit of state
hood as soon as practicable. New Mex
leo nearly slipped in thirty -four years
ago, when Colorado was admitted, but,
being rebuffed, had to stand back while
seven more states were created in the
region between the Missouri and the
Pacific. North Dakota. South Dakota,
Montana and Washington were admitted
in 1889. Idaho and Wyoming in 1890
and Utah in 1896. When Oklahoma and
the Indian Territory were combined to
make one state by the enabling act of
1906 ii was proposed 10 unite Arizona
and New Mexico TO make another state.
The two territories were allowed to vote
separately, however. on the question Of
amalgamaticn. New Mexico voted yes.
but Arizona voted no. and the other
provisions of the act of admission were
thus nullihed. After a probation period
OF more than sixty years these two ap-
plicants for promotion to statehood are
about TO find their patience rewarded,
and the only portion of the once spread
ing federal domain within the CONT
mental limits Of the United States still
held in tutelage is about to exchange
that hampering status for one of equal
rights and privileges in the federal
household. Arizons and New Mexico
will be the forty-seventh and forty
eighth states They ought to complete
the circle closed for obvious reasons
against Alaska and the oversee posses
sions.
The two new states viii take rank in
area with the giants among our com
monweslths. New Mexico is a little
larger than Arizona, the former having
LIZ, $50 square miles and the latter 1I3,
O2o. Texas, California and Montana are
larger than New Afexieo-Texas. the
Jupiter Of our system. being bigger than
Arizona and New Mexico combined. Ne
Fada viii rank next below Arizona. hav-
ing 1lo10o square miles New Mexico
has much larger population-about
225, H1-than the average Western state
had On admission It's inhabitants to-
Day outnnmber those of Nevada. Idaho
o. Wyoming Arizona is ahead Of
either Nevada or Wyoming In educa-
ton and material prosperity the two ter
r1torles are also more advanced than
most of their predecessors were when
admitted. They have gained experience
and stability by waiting and are not
likely 10 afford an example of arrested
as Nevada has done in the
torty-odd years since it became a state,