Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-11-02
THE LANGUAGE PROVISION.

The constitutional convention Is
acting within perfect reason In insert
ing a clause In the constitution voic-
ing a protest against certain proyi-
sions in the enabling act which are
unfair 70 New Mexico and which
have not been imposed in any other
state. The compulsory provision that
all state officers be qualified to con-
duct business In the English language
is unnecessary. and congress, we be-
iieve, has without just reason placed
more or less Of a stigma on the new
state.
In accordance with the sentiment OF
the convention, the constitution con-
tains before this clause al insert
showing that the language proviso Is
Incorporated only under compulsion.
The inserted phrase reads, 'and in
compliance with the provisions OF the
enabling act. It is provided"
There can be no objection on the
part Of any member of congress or
the president TO this clause. Terri
toriai Officers have always been able
and have conducted their official
business In the English language. The
clause IN the enabling act can scarce
~ be construed otherwise than as a
slap" II is now and has been char
acteristio OF our Spanish-Amerlcan
citizenship that they have been am-
bilious to master tho English lan-
Euage. Those In the outlying districts
who have not had the opportunity
are doing everything ia their power
TO give this opportunity TO their chill
ish language IS more beautiful than
the English, a language of history
and nan The fact that a man
speaks IL Is fully as creditable as that
he speaks English. Tho Spanish
American people, however, realize
that, aspiring to become ar integral
part Of the United states of America,
they must also be able to speak and
write perfectly the English language.
The claus in the enabling act mis-
represents the sentiment Of the peo-
pie of New Mexico and would lead
to the conclusion among outsiders
that New Mexico is not an English
speaking state. This is not the point.
however. Tho chief ground for tho
objection is that such a provision is
not ia accord with the rights ac-
corded New Mexico whom she became
a territory Of the United states; that
is not In accord with the provisions
OF tho enabling acts OF previously
formed states. The act specifies that
New Mexico is to be admitted ION an
equal footing with the other states.
This provision does not carry out the
expressed intent. II ls unnecessary and
uncalled FOR.
IL is just as well, however, that the
convention went no further than the
polite explanation appended TO tho
constitution. II makes, after an, little
difference and the incorporation OF
the language proyiso may go FAR
toward removing an objection which
has been made much OF by the enc
mics OF New Mexico. II nothing
else Will assure them that we don't
plan "a Castiiau monarchy down here.
Il is just as wen 60 humor them and
Jet IL go az that. Now Mexico IS proud
OF her spanish-Amorican citizenship.
and the progress il has made. shown
nowhere more clearly than hy the
native delegates 20 the constitutional
convention who are working har-
moniously with their brethren FOR the
best and most up TO date and thor
oughly American constitution pos
sible 20 frame.
We are an New Mexicans. Tho
east is beginning 10 find &C. our. and
the middle west has Ions ago discov-
cred o. The RAYS OF the new star n
The nag VIII soon dlssipate the clouds
or isnoranee and prejudice which yet
remain m uhst dear Washington.
u. C..