Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-06-19
STRUGGLE FOR STATEHOOD
HAS LASTED HALE CENTURY

New Mexico's struggle to enter the
union has lasted about fifty years.
Half a hundred statehood bills have
been introduced in congress. and in
several cases passed both houses. The
statehood agitation may be traced as
far back as 1850. when, following
" ha they believed to be a hint from
the federal government. in Taylor's
administration, the people elected del
egates, held n convention and adopted
q constitution at Santa Fe. The con-
stitution was submitted to the people
and carried. and state officers were
elected, with Henry Connolly as gov
crnor.
Congress, however. nullified the
proceeding and placed New Mexico
on q territorial basis September 9.
1850. In the meanwhile. the state
legislature had been elected and met.
passing n number Of acts, and elect
ing two senators. So that as a matter
of fact, New Mexico may be consia-
cred to have been already a state of
the union.
In 1872 a state constitution was
drawn up at n convention and sub
mitted to the people, the vote, how
ever, being counted after the time
limit had expired.
In 1875 a historic incident deprived
New Mexico Of statehood, just as the
territory was on the exc Of admission.
Delegate in congress from New Mex
leo, stephen b. Elkins, now senator
from West Virginia, after securing a
necessary bunch of southern votes in
the house for n statehood hill. lost the
support of the southerncrs by openly
cong|ratulating Representative Bur-
rows OF Michigan in a speech which
angered the southern statesmen, Mr.. /
ElAInS hQNinsv ham n11f of fIn ,a1r, I
and unaware of the nature of the i'd
dress.
a statehood memorial laid before
congress by the territorial legislature
OF 1876 failed OF effect. as have many
similar ones since.
statehood bill. including New
Mexico, introduced in the house by
Representative Springer of Illinois in
lssS, died a peaceful death in COM
mittee.
In 1889 q constitution Was adopted
by the territory, which action had no
evident effect, however, on the atti-
tude OF congress.
Since 1884, delegates in congress,
Antonio Joseph, Thomas fenton Cat
ron. II. b. Ferguson, Bernard S
kodey and William II. Andrews, have
striven IN vain 10 ecu the passage
OF a statehood bill by both houses, UNI
80" fAN AtANAA hAANOAiAE NtEltlOUA. IN 4
1906 the famous joint statehood prom
osition was adopted by New Mexico.
but turned down ly Arizona. Joint
was a product of the fertile
brain OF senator Beveridge of Indiana. !
made a o celebrated iunket /,
with a congressional committee and Z
inspected the and citizen ,
ship of the territories from the van
tage point OF a Pullman car indow
VIM Hhg rnss-e - .Il
New Mexico, d pressure brought to
bear on congress has been heavier and ,
heavier OF late years. The territories d
been backed in their fight bV +
Roosevelt and Taft and $
the present executive has maintained y
tirm stand Tor the passage OF the [
Bill as the fuifillment of party ?
pledges. At the last previous session |
III congress the enabling act cot past ]
tne house, and ii was generally be- &
lieNed That statehood would win. but
IL met the usual fate In the senate.
senator Be%veridge has been hereto
n of the most consistent enc 4,
mics of separate statehood for the !
territories.
The biz is unique. in that It gives
congress the power to approve or re-
icct a popular constitution selected
~ popular vote. This procedure is =
Without precedent, except in the case.
u Is said. of one clause of the Ne
lrasku constitution.
New Mexico has greater population
md @ territories have shown \
greater fitness Tor admission perhaps :,
a any previous applicant for state :,
1000 among federal territories. The y
withholding of her just rights from =
Mexico for fifty years is with y
1ut parallel in the history Of the conn n
~ All OF which Will be forgiven and ;,
."rgotien. according 10 the general -
sentlment of the people. now that =
New Mexico has az last secured ad- n
Mission even on terms such as We're /
leNer before asked of "a territory :
here Is n general disposition among :
ne people Of New Mexico and Ari- ?
'ona 10 rejoice over admission at any Il
'rief' and not bubble over terms. n
Fourteen hundred and thirty people !.
IA the first show ea,. P"