Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-06-25
NEAR VIEW Of
STATEHOOD BATTLE
1t Was an Earnest Conflict of
Great Interests for Van
tage Ground
HON. 7. B. CATRON RETURNS
He Was in Thick of Fray and
Throws Interesting Side
lights on 1t.

Hon. Thomas B. Catron returned
last evening from a strenuous trip the
greater part OF which he spent in
Washington staying right with the
statehood bill and following every
movement of the secretly opposing
forces, checkmating them at every
move. Mr.. Catron is generous in
ascribing to Delegate W. H. Andrews
great credit for the final passage of
the measure. He worked day and
night" said Mr. Catron, "and he never
made wrong move at any time" I'm
fortunately, Senator Boes Penrose
the mainstay of Mr.. Andrews fell Ill,
seriously i'll at the critical time. How
ever the close friendship of Mr.. Ca
tron with Senator Elkins of West
Virginia, and Senator Gallinger of
New Hampshire, and with other mem
bers of the highest legislative body
of the nation, gave the friends of
statehood powerful allies who bent
every effort to secure the passage of
an enabling act. President Taft and
Postmaster General Hitchcock never
relaxed until the bill became law.
Nor must it be forgotten" said Mr..
CotrOn "that Ponrncantativa HaD1i1-
ton of Michigan, the chairman of the
House committee on territories, act
ed as the true blue friend of the ter
ritories. 1t was the plan of the enc
hood bill into conference and there
to throttle it or to have it emerge
in such shape that the territories
would not accept it's provisions. 1t is
at that point that Representative
Hamilton's stand for concurrence in
the Senate bill saved the day for state
hood. 1t was his own measure he
Sacrificed and his own hearts desire
to give the territories the most liber-
al bill that could be drafted, that he
relinquished.'
Mr.. Catron believes that non-par-
tisan constitutional convention,
though theoretically not so objection
able, is impracticable and would be
a mistake Congress expects New
Mexico to show that it is Republican
and the election of Republican con
stitutional convention would not only
demonstrate this but would also as
sure a safe constitution. mo hybrid,
convention for me-" is his
conclusion.
The New Mexico Judgeships.
Mr.. Catron reports that the illness
of Senator Dillingham; of the sub
committee of the Senate committee on
judiciary, which had in charge the
of Judges John R. Nc
Fie and E. C. Abbott, had prevented
d confirmation; that if Senator Dill
lingham can attend a meeting of the
ub-committee, the nominations will
be reported and acted upon, but if
not, that Judge McFie would hold Ov-
er and would be confirmed at the De-
cember session of Congress, the
President if necessary making re-
appointment, although, it is believed
that this is not necessary. MI Alb
bott may withdraw from the race on
account of the near approach of state
hood. For the position made vacant
by the resignation of Judge Cooley,
District Attorney E. R. Wright, Attor-
ney Ralph C. Ely and Hon. Bernard
S. Rodey are the leading candidates.
Mr.. Catron appears hale and hearty
and while the Beveridge statehood
bill is not all that New Mexico de-
sired, yet, its passage is very salts
factory to him, as it has given the
Territory an enabling act, some
thing he has worked for sturdily for
several decades.
Mr.. Catron brought with him a copy
of the enabling act comparing it sec
ton for section and clause for clause
with the Hamilton bill, clearly point
ing out differences. In Mr. Catron's
opinion, New Mexico can be state
by July 4, 1911, but it is entirely up
to the voters.
Republican Congress Assured.
Mr. Catron referred to the very evil
dent growth, especially during the past
few weeks, of President Taft, in the
public esteem. The President mas Sc
cured the most important legislation
any president ever obtained from Con-
gress and has done so without Great
ing business disturbance or undue
commotion. 1t is apparent also, That
the insurgent movement has Waned
and that the insurgent congressman
are having the time of their life to
hold on to their seats in Congress. A
few weeks ago there were many DOUBT
ers, even among Republicans, whether
President Taft would make good, but
today even Democrats admit that
Droc;do,+ UIof+ hoe cucn1pdpd i'm Der-