Mexico Missouri message., 1910-02-03


There is nothing in the Weeks bill
apparently which would make It seem
likely that the law as it now stands
would be in danger of change. The
feeling that danger threatens the fund
which the northwestern states nov
get from the sale of timbers on gov.
eminent reserves is manifest in the
senate, and the friends of the Weeks
bill are compelled to recognize It.
An attempt will be made probably to
convince the opponents that the saw
ing of the forests in the east will not
in any way hurt conditions in the
west, and if this can be done the APP
palachians and White mountains plan
will carry the day.
Ex-President Silent.
Persons who have been at pains
to find out are convinced that
Theodore Roosevelt has not writ.
ten one word to anyone, either in APP
prevail or in disapproval of the acts
of the present administration. Stories
have been published that condemna-
ton Of the "inactivities" Of the pres
ent administration have come from
Africa and these were closely followed
by stories to the effect that words Of
commentator had been written and
sent out by the hunter who is now
after the elusive white rhinoceros.
Just before President Taft an
nounced his willingness to become
candidate for the Republican party's
nomination for the presidency, Mr..
Roosevelt gave out a specific state
ment to the effect that he would not
consider any plan for a denomination
for himself He made his statement
about as sharp as 1t scould be made,
and a little later. when he found
people were unwilling to take him at
his word he put forth another pro-
nouncement strengthening the first
and making the second so positive as
to amount almost to a declaration of
anger that anyone should think that
he wanted a third term or a second
elective term. at that time at least.
Doesn't Believe in Third Term.
There are a good many members of
congress, both Democrats and Republi-
cans, who are firmly convinced that
theodore Roosevelt feels that a third
term is not thing to be desired in a
republic. Those who say this back
it up with what they maintain is real
argument They say that the former
president at times expressed himself
as believing that the American people
would not approve of a third term or.
as in his case, a second elective term
for any man.
New States Practically Assured.
Unless the territories of Ari-
iona and New Mexico shall adopt
state constitutions which are not
to the liking of the administration
and to the dominant party in con-
gress, President Taft will see two new
stars added to the flag before his term
of office expires. The house of repre-
already has passed the bill
the people of Arizona and
New Mexico to hold constitutional
conventions, to vote on the adoption
of the constitutions thus prepared, and
to elect state officers. The bill is now
in the upper house, where Senator
has charge of it. The bill
in the lower house, which was the
of Representative Hamil-
ton of Michigan, left congress out of
consideration in the matter of power
to review, and to approve or disap-
prove the constitutions adopted by the
states.
1t is believed that before the bill re-
ceives the signature of the president
it will contain provision which gives
with the chief executive, the
right to decide on the merits of the
provisions in the constitutions which
the territories shall adopt for use
when they take on the full powers of
statehood.
A good many Republicans do not
like some of the provisions in the con-
stitutions of Oklahoma. Oklahoma and
Indian Territory were combined in
one and admitted to statehood when
Mr.. Roosevelt was president. He did
provisions, and If memory is correct
some changes were made, but not
enough to satisfy the Republicans.
Some Questions In Dispute.
Some of the matters concerning the
proposed new states with which the
administration is particularly con.
cerned relate to public lands within
the territories, forest reservations,
water sites and mining privileges. in
other words matters pertaining gener-
ally to the conservation of the nat.
ural resources of the country.
It now appears that Arizona and
New Mexico are practically certain of
statehood, for it is believed that they
will adopt constitutions which will
pass muster with the administration
and with congress. Four years ago
this winter the two territories just
missed statehood, but if it had been
granted to them at that time they
would have had to go in as one state,
for the bill combining them in one