Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-13
Now Seems Certain That Four
teen Delegates viii Be In
Structed for Constitution at
Santa Fe Meet,
FAVORABLE SENTIMENT
STRONG IN SILVER CITY
Mass of Voters Believe Self
Government Is Now Para
mount Consideration for Peo-
pie of New Mexico,

Especial Dispatch 10 the Mofnlr& Jonrnnll
Silver City, n. NJ, Dec. 12.-Re-
ports today received from many OF
the precincts of this county indicate
that the democratic county conven-
ton be held here on next Thursday
will be fairly well attended and II
seems sure that the fourteen dele
gates to the Santa Fe convention will
so instructed to cast the full vote OF
the delegation in favor of the party
supporting the constitution. AT the
democratic primary held In the city
hall here Saturday evening a motion
was carried unanimously that the
twenty-seven delegates to the county
convention go uninstructed, which
means that majority are in favor
of the constitution. The Silver city
delegation will compose about one
third Of the convention, and being
composed of many of the strong
leaders OF the party, such as Hon. A.
H. Harllee, County Chairman Colin
Neblett, Territorial Chairman w. f..
Walton, Hon. Alvan n White, who
was defeated by narrow margin for
delegate to the constitutional conven-
ton by Hon. w. ID. Murray, County
Treasurer Jackson Agee, Hon. j. l..
Burnside, who sought the democratic
nomination for delegate to the con-
vention, and other prominent leaders,
all of whom II is understood will
work actively Tor the constitution, it
is safe to predict that the county
convention will be Overwhelmingly
for the constitution. 1t is also be-
lieved that Hon, F. j. Davidson, pres
ent representative in the Legislature
from this county, whose home is in
Pinos Altos. will join other promi
nent leaders in the party Tor the con-
stitution Both Of the local papers
are heartily in favor OF the adoption
of the constitution and will carry
great influence with the voters. 1t is
also understood that the three repub-
lican candidates, Hon. Matt Fowler,
Judge NJ w. Porterfield and Frank
r. Coon, will join hands with Hon
Alvan y. White, the defeated demo-
cratic candidate in supporting the
constitution. While none of these
gentlemen have yet openly announced
their intention of supporting the
document, desiring first TO read and
study 1t carefully, it is generally un-
derstood from their private talks that
they are in favor Of it and will likely
stump the county advocating its
in the event a fight is made
by opponents. With the above sup
port, coming from the influential
leaders of both parties, including all
of Grant county's delegates to the
convention, the constitution would
carry by a four to one vote in this
county.
There was a strong sentiment in
this county for the election OF all
state officers by a popular vote and
this having been conceded by the
majority in the conven-
tiou, the people as rule seem salts
fled with the constitution. Some dis
appointment is felt over the failure
of the convention to embody the ini-
tiative. but since the return of the
delegates and the people have come
to understand the situation, this dis
appointment is merely nominal, and
win have but little effect upon the
vote.
The principal, controlling force in
favor of the constitution is that the
people of this county. with but few
exceptions, are in favor Of and de-
manding statehood, and this over
shadows any faults that may be
found with the constitution as
framed. The voters feel that we
should secure at once self-govern-
ment and believe that this is pos
sible at this time and under a consti-
tuition that will afford safe and
workable scheme of government. The
people of this county have always
been fair and conservative. and haven't
vet reached that stage where they
cry out against anything proposed.
which may have been suggested by
political opponents. The constitution
will be voted upon. from the stand
point Of merit and a desire for state
hood at the earliest time.