Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-11

In line with It's policy - givins
every man chance 70 express his
views. within reasonable limits, IN the
only New Mexico newspaper which
reaches all the people the Morning
Journal has given It's space freely to
contributions on the constitution and
statehood. while strongly condemn
Ing the attitude OF the forces now en-
gnged IN q fight on the constitution,
aud thus fight on statehood we
have therefore given generously Of
our space to the advocates OF eonstl-
tutional prohibition, rescrving always
lhe right to draw the line.
n this issue appears a communica-
tia0 from the superintendent OF the
Sew Mexico Anti-6aloon League.
lie says among other things.
To have spent $4,000 # your fig
iree nre correct, for the one convene
tion' and elections IS far from being
the strongest possible proof Of admin
istering finances economically and
l0f the DtNA NiiAANfFAN VI hiAH ffHf'Nf
And II ls possible that congress may
consider that rs mal-adminiatration
and for that very reason hesitate to
admit us into the Union. As the
writer was present through the entire
constitutional convention and knows
what occurred. he is frank TO say
that there are goodly number of
men In New Mexico who could have
held the two conventions aud cleo
iions paid nll necessary expenses,
written good constitution in which
the interests OF the people are pro-
ieeiod. and stiil had $1,000 left''
The writer Ignores the detailed
statement made in this paper yester-
day. showing that the expenditure OF
the $4,000. as spent. WAS practically
all provided for IN the enabling act
and thus spent BY order Of congress.
VIII our correspondent deny this2
we call upon him in the light OF
hia remarkable statement that two
conventions could have been held
with the money and $4,000 left. 20
give the public the detailed figures.
II this astounding declaration is true.
the people have a right TO the fig
ureH.
The territorial secretary 10 quoted
as authority Tor the statement that
an election under the provisions Of
the act calls for the expenditure Of
$4,000 ana the registration $1,000
WIN the gentlemen tell us where
the secretary has made his mlstakcG
Congress was liberal, he says, be-
cause Il also appropriated 100000
for Arizona where the expense Is cx-
actly hall as much aa in New Mex
leo. II this argues liborality to-
ward Arizona. what OF tho same ap-
preparation for New Mexico. with
twice the number ot counties aud
delegatese
1--WE may dismiss any prejudice,
rancor or vltupcration, he says; and
proceeds TO refer TO the constitution
as 'trust made and liquor soaked"
Either congress Was not capable or
NaAH Af"A ttWAA'Ttf tAN fANfn tiA RHAhffArf
the enabling act" IL he wishes to
assume that the 100000 WIS in
tended 20 cover the expense of two
conventions we shall chcorfullv agree
with him tina, congress was Tar from
capable
In closing We rc-itcratp that Fight
on this constitution. whatever ts op-
ponents may profess Go believe is
simply and solely and surely a nght
on statehood and that if this consti-
tuition IS dcfoat,d. it means the In
definite delay. certainly for years. of
the boon for which tho people Of Sew
Mexico have been fighting for half
"a century
Meanwhile We ask the gentleman 90
give us detailed statement. itemiz-
ms election. registration und salary
expenses. mileage printing. employees
and lncideniais. showing hov tho two
conventions and Two elections could
have been held for 100000 with
s5.eoe LETT over lt is certainly "a
reasonable request and We shall bD
glad to publish the Figures Tor the
benefit Of our readers