Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-22
BRILLIANT SPEECH
IN SUPPORT Of
STATEHOOD
Well Known Leader Of Unterri-
fled, Receives Ovation in
Ancient City, Because Of Firm
Stand Favoring Organic Act.

Ispecial Correspondence to Morning Journal
santa Fe, N. M, Dec. 21.-Dem-
ocrats and republicans buried the
political Ratchet last night and
rubbed elbows and exchanged
friendly smiles at q monster mass
meeting held in the cour house to
hear the constitution discussed by
that noted democratic leader, orator
and citizen. o.. A. Larrazolo of Las
Vegas. Thee were other speakers,
too: Mayor Seligman, Hon. C. M.
Compton of Portales, Hon. T. B.
Catron and Frank Owen. Governor
Mills was present and frequently led
in the applause. The speeches were
in English, but ably and rapidly in
terpreted by such excellent speakers
as Hon. lose d. Sena and George w.
Armijo, who themselves showed in
their interpretations that the orator
ical torch had warmed them too.
There was such spontaneous en-
thusiasm throughout the evening,
and the crowd caught OF and relished
the Jokes that we're told so thor
oughly that the affair was a delight
as well as an inspiration. The First
regiment band was there too, and
distilled patriotism with stirring mel
odies that interlarded the speeches.
The meeting was all the more de-
lightful for the non-partisan spirit
that ~pervaded 1t, one democrat
speaking and then making way for a
republican who in. turn turned over
the oratorical fireworks to a demo-
crat, with a good humor that might
be expected of children in one happy
family.
1t was a happy family last night
and every one seemed a booster Tor
statehood, throwing down party lines
to help push New Mexico toward the
long coveted goal.
Mayor Arthur Seligman, a staunch
democrat, presided at the meeting
which began at 5 p. m. instead of
$50 and Marcelino Ortiz, a well
known republican, former assessor of
the county and a booster fer Santa
Fe and New Mexico every hour of
the day, was the secretary of the
meeting.
Mayor Seligman Speaks.
Mayor Seligman in opening the
meeting said: SIT is a great pleas
ure for me to preside over such a
representative gathering called to
discuss statehood, the most vital is
sue that has been presented to us for
our suffrage. Meetings of this char
acter are educational to the highest
degree end / am glad to see this one
is so we'll attended.
my friends, for the past fifty years
or more both the democratic and re-
publican parties, in their national,
territorial and county elections have
adopted planks in their platforms
asking for New Mexico's admission
into the Union. For more than
twenty years / can personally recall
both parties have insisted upon their
delegates to congress, whether re-
publican or democratic to urge the
passage Of an enabling act so as to
give us statehood. Each session OF
these delegates pleaded,
prayed or demanded this admission
and for these reasons | do believe
that the issue is not now and never
was a political issue, but a nom
partisan one. 1t is right and proper
therefore that his meeting should be
non partisan one. We want to be
educated on the statehood matter
and then we shall be able to vote as
we believe best"
MI. Seligman aroused much en-
thusiasIn in announcing tina Romulo
Martinez, former United States mar
shal of New Mexico, a prominent n
influential citizen, had assured him
that he Is for the constitution n
that he would, address the meeting
that night were he feeling better.
Mr.. Martinez left this morning TO
stump Rio Arriba county for the con-
%stituion, it is said.
The mayor was greeted with warm
applause as he proceeded to intro
duce the first speaker, G. Nj. COMP
ton, delegate in the constitutional
convention from Portales. Roosevelt
county.
Mr.. Compton's Address.
The greatest opposition l lind In