Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-09-17
Mr.. SP|ESS AND
THE PEOPLES
INTERESTS
WAS WILLING TO DEFEAT
100000 ACRE GRANT
A Chapter from Hearing on
Santa Fe County Bonds
Shows Las Vegan Is Special
Interest Man,
Morning journal Bureau,
6l3 Munsey Building,
Washington, D. G., Sept. l6. !


The news has reached Washington
Of the aspirations of Charles A. Spices
Of Las Vegns to preside over the
constitutional convention OF New
Mexico at santa re. II has created
q most uniavorable Impression among
friends Of New Mexico in congress
who are familiar with Nj. Spiess
record and his Identification with
special interests. In particular, the
connection of Mr., Spiess with the
matter OF the santa Fe county bonded
indebtedness is fresh in the minds OF
those who follow congressional al
fairs: aud for. this reason II for no
other 1t is pointed out that Mr. Spiess
would be very unlikely to render ma
terial assistance to the cause Of state
hood in the capacity of presiding Of
ficcr or the convention which is TO
frame the new states fundamental
law.
Mr.. Spiess has for some time past
represented the holders OF the santa
l7e county bonds The record shows
that in the hearing before the SEN
ate committee on territories Mr.
Spiess, in his advocacy Of "A clause IN
the enabling act to make the new
state assume the Indebtedness of the
counties expressed a willingness Tor
this arrangement. even If the United
states did not make the proposed
grant of three million acres Of land
to take up this Indebtedness.
In brief Mr. Spiess at this hearing
told the senate committee that the
people Of New Mexico would be satls-
fled 10 nave the new state assume
the county debts without any appro-
priation from congress to cover Il.
That Is to say, Mr. Spiess is firstly
and foremostiy representative Of
the bondholders and consequently
represents q special Interest
1t would be manifestly improper to
have representative OF such special
interest take a leading part in the
framing Of the constitution.
The following is an extract from
Mr. Splcss' statement before the COM
mittee during its sessions of Febru-
AIRY IS, ! Q and q, 1910
MIR. Spiess. What / am prima rily
Interested in. i'm representing these
bondholders is that way be pro-
vided by congress whereby these
bondholders may collect their in
debtedness. | know of no better way
than by simply inserting at page five
OF this bin statehood bill) the words
which | have written in copy which
| have these words to follow the
words New Mexico in tile sixth line
Of that page--snd the debts Of the
counties thereof: so that the section
will read Third, that the debts and
liabilities Of said territorS of New
Mexico and tho debts OF the counties
thereof which shall be valid and sub
sisting ct the time of The passing of
this act. shall be assumed ana paid
BY the proposed state
Tho Chairman. Permit me TO in
terrupt you q minute That is a very
practical suggestion. Would you be
satisfied. Mr.. Spiess If that provision
were put in there regardless Of the
OF 100000 acres Of
land2"
Mr. spiess. = would rather have
It that way
The Chairman And leave out the
the appropriation OF 100000 acres
Of land o"
Mr.. spiesa Il WOULD RATHER
GET IT But II WE DO NOT GET
n THEN THINK THE PEOPLE
OF NEW MEXICO WOULD BE
SATISFIED.
In other words this statement OF
MI Spiess plainly indicates that he
took the position that AS long AS the
were cared for. il didn't
make much difference about the
people While the fact that MI Spiess
is ably looking after the interests OF
these bondholders is perfectly legiti-
mate there is a general sentiment
here among those interested in state
hood Tor New Mexico. that this ser
, Ice makes AIr. Spices impossible az
presiding officer Of the constitutional
convention.