Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-09

That the bill granting statehood e
New Mexico and Arizona win be re-
ported favorably from the senate com
mttce on territories during the pres
cnt week, with practically all of the
objectionable features Of the bill re-
moved; ana that it will be passed by
the senate without delay and with
practically an unanimous vote.
This is the very cheerful message
brought to New Mexico by,Chairman
II. @. Bursum, Of the New Mexico re-
publican committee, who arrived in
Albuquerque yesterday from stay of
several weeks in Washington, where
he has been engaged IN work with the
senate committee in connection with
the bill.
1t is. BY long odds the most en-
couraging advice as TO statehood,
which has been received since the
Bcveridge bin went to committee: for
of late the press reports as regards
the chances Of the bill have not been
encouraging. Mr.. Bursum says, how
ever, that the press reports, for some
reason which he does not understand.
have not reflected the true condition
of affairs in the senate committee or
in the senate and that instead of be-
ing discouraging, the outlook has
never been so certain for success of
the enabling act.
In addition, practically all of the
provisions Of the Beverage bill, to
which objection has been made. have
been eliminated.
The provisions for the regular elee-
tion in 1910, for territorial and county
officers. which would have brought
four general elections Within a
period OF twelve months. haA been
eliminated and under the bill as IT
now stands, officers elected in 1905
will hold over until the completion of
the state government, while there Will
be no legislature in 1911.
The reservation by the government
OF power to control unappropriated ir-
rigation waters and Of supervision
over power sites, to which general OBJ
lection has been made, has been re-
moved entirely
There is still some question as to the
amount of land which Will be appro-
prlated for caring for the territorial
and county debt. Tho new state
VIII be required to take care or the
railroad aid bonds outstanding against
Santa Fe and Grant counties. II is
certain that sufficient land VIII be
appropriated to care for these bonds
How much additional has not been
determined, but Mr., Bursum believes
There will be no change in the
provisions for representation in the
constitutional convention, save an
amendment providing for representa-
ton for Curry county
The matter OF the franchise is caus-
ing no trouble as regards New Mexico
the franchise matter having come up
in connection with the provision OF
the Beveridge bill which repeals the
Arizona election law Of 1909 passed
by the democratic legislature Of that
territory and which, if allowed to
stand, would disfranchise a large
number of citizens.
The provision giving power to con
gress to reject the constitution, will
remain. 1t has been amended how
ever so that congress must reject the
constitution prior to March /, 1871,
making 1t possible to fix definite dates
for completion of the state govern
ment, which, as the bill now stands
will be in the early Summer Of 1911.
There will be few, if any otfer
changes in the bill which Mr.. Bursum
expects to pass within a very short
time.