Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-11-01
Amendment Adopted By Unani-
nous Vote Indicating to Con-
greSS Language Clause Is In
serted Under CompuIsion,
.CAUSTlC REMARKS MADE
BY MANY DELEGATES
Declared in Convention That
Provisions Under Which New
Mexico Is to Become State
Unique and Unjust,
Especial Dispatch to the Morning Journaii

unique ana UllJuSl
Especial Dispatch TO the Morning Journaii
Santa re, ~ A.. oct, sl.--By un-
animous consent the constitutional
convention this afternoon voiced it's
protest at the unnecessary and hu-
initiating provision of the enabling
act which requires the incorporation
into the fundamental law of various
and sundry matters which Senator
Beveridge thought necessary for the
government of what that eminent
statesman presumably considers
semi barbarous people.
The report of the committee on or
dinance compact with the United
States was under consideration In
committee of the whole with Delegate
Springer in the chair. As the reading
proceeded wave of Indignation seem
ed to spread over the convention.
Democratic and republican alike arose
and denounced the language of the
enabling act which, while purportins
to be for the purpose Of admitting
New Mexico to the union on an equal
her with conditions hitherto unheard
o In laws OF this character
The constitution of the United
States and the treaty Of Guadalupe
Islaalgo we're quoted as showing that
the requirements that state officers
shah be able 20 conduct business In
the English language, was unfair and
violation OF pledges made to the
people of New Mexico when this coun-
try was first occupied by the American
military forces As showing that the
restriction Was unnecessary 1t was
pointed out that not since 1870 has
there peen territorial officer In New
Mexico unable to conduct business in
the Lnglish language.
the report of the committee on or
dinance compact with the United
States Is largely a formal document.
made up of paragraphs, taken bodily
from the Grabbing act, and which that
act requires, shall be contained in the
constitutions ~ far as section o, the
report enjoyed comparatively smooth
sailing In the committee of the whole
When section 6 was reached. Delegate
Fall moved that Il be amended by IN
serting the words, "and III compliance
with the provisions OF the enabling
act. It is provided This was done
with view to showing congress and
the president, that the people OF New
Mexico do not adopt these provisions
of their own free viii but do so un-
der compulsion. Mr. Fall believed
that when the state was admitted to
the union. her representatives in
Washington could prove to congress
the Injustice OF these restrictions He
quoted General Kearney's proclama-
tion 10 the people OF New Mexico in
which on behalf OF the United states
government that gallant soldier prom
ised them all the rights and Iivilegcs
OF American citizenship, including the
right 10 select their own lawmakers
Delegate sena echoed the sentiments
OF Mr.. Fail For forty years, he said
there bad never been territorial Of
ficer In New Mexico unable to con-
duct BUSINESS in the English Ian
guago.
He told of how certain senator
whom he did not name had once vis-
tied santa Fc and questioned the
school children as TO their knowledge
OF English This senator said Mr.
Sena. manifested the keenest disap-
pointment upon learning that these
children were quite as familiar with
the English language as those of sim
liar age in Indiana
Delegate Compton, democrat OF
Roosevelt. where spanish speaking
people are rev. supported the Fail
,ndr,ept Ha believed IL "A proper
protest against an unnecessary and
unjust restriction. but was confident
that the native people would be able
To take care of themselves in spite OF
st.
Delegate Stuvcr quoted the enabling
act itself as we'll as the constitution
of ihe United states. Co prove the un-
constitutionality and injustice OF
These provisions. The enabling act
declares IT'S purpose to be the admis-
sion of Ncw Meyico on an equal foot
ing with the other states OF the
rnion Tho other states Of the
Union. insisted Mr. Stuver, have the
right to elect whom they please for
their state officers aud Legislators.
and. So long MS THIS state Is restricted
tn this manner. she is not on an equal
footing with the other states Of the
Union.
Delegate FERGUSON shared the sem
tim.nts or the speakers who had pre-
rcded him. and believed. with Judge
Compton that the native people would
be- able to take care Of themselves
despite the attempted restriction OF