Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-12
NEW STATES RIDDLE
Ambiguity in Law as to Con-
stitutional Approval.
SENATE NAY BE affected
Four Democrats for Upper House Is
Possible Outcome.
TWO CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
Arizona and New Mexico Must
Hasten Conventions to Get
Early Ratification.
SENATE MAY BE AFFECTED
TWO CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW

Arizona ana new McAICOp tic 1851 eCA .
tories to be admitted into the Union. vii
play an important part in determining
he political complexion of the United
States Senate.
With only republican majority of from
ten to twelve to go on. 1t would be OF
vast political advantage to the demo-
Gratis to have their number increased by
four senator's from Arizona and New
Mexico. This is possibility.
The acquisition of four democratic sena-
,ors would bring the republican majority
% a close margin. With some of the
more pronounced insurgents. like La Fol-
cite and Bris.ow, voting with the demo-
rats, decisions of momentous import
would be carried through in the Senate.
some of them sent over from the demo-
cratic House.
New Mexico Republican.
The Arizona constitutional convention
democratic The New Mexico conven-
ion is republican. But there Is such q
;pflt among the delegates in the latter
tate as to the adoption OF the Oregon
system and other features of the Oregon
.aw that it spells trouble.
Moreove r, 1t has developed that demo-
cratic leaders in both branches of Con-
sress are interesting themselves to bring
,bout situation that will result in the
lection of four democratic senators.
Both new states are now engaged in
framing a constitution, in accordance with
the bills passed at the last sessi, Of Con-
gress. Delegates were chosen to constitu-
tional conventions. II they agree on the
provisions imposed upon them by the en-
abling acts. and If the voters of each
state then ratify the copst buttons as
adopted, the forthcoming short ses sion Of
Congress will be called upon to approve
the action taken, probably some time late
in February
If Congress should omit to approve the
constitutions submitted by the new states,
President Taft can, by executive action.
.ndcrs what has been done by the con-
stitutional conventions and certify his ap-
roval to the governors of Arizona and
New Mexico. who will then be empowered
to call an election within thirty days from
receipt of the presidential sanction, for
the purpose Of electing representatives in
congress, a state legislature and STATE
and county officers.
Ambiguity in Enabling Act.
Right here it is pointed out that the
wording of the enabling acts is somewhat
ambiguous in regard to the time when the
final approval Of the admission Of the two
states shall be made.
Section of the New Mexico act pro-
vides:
IF Congress and the President approve
the constitution. or IL Congress fails to
dfsapprove it during the next regular ses-
on. then the President may approve and
shall certify such action to the governor,
who shall within thirty days issue his
proclamation for an election. ETC.. ETC."
Delegate Cameron from Arizona takes
the pos ition that it is incumbent and
binding upon the coming short session to
lct, providing. of course. the two new
states sand on their constitutions to
Washington before March 4, next, when
the Sixty-first Congress will end. He
holds that "the next regular session"
mentioned in. the bill clearly means the
session that will begin the first Monday
Of next month.
Other members of Congress say that the
next regular session means the Sixty
second Congress. and that the approval
If the constitutions OF Arizona and New
Mexico should go over until the first ses-
SION of the new Congress, elected last
Tuesday.
Haste Is Necessary.
Haste must be made by the men in
charge of the state constitutions of New
Mexico and Arizona IL action is to be OBJ
a ned before March 4.
In the first place, after the delegate
conventions now in session shall have
adopted a constitution for their respec-
tive states, their action must be sub
.nitted to the voters Of each state for
.atification This election cannot be held
earlier than sixty days after the consti-
lutional conventions have adjourned. II
the constitutions are ratified. the returns
cannot be canvassed and certified to
Washington until the third Monday after
the election.
So that, Ii both states form a constitu-
ton, say, this month, and the voters ratify
such action at the special lection 1t
will be mighty close to March before
the final returns reach Congress and the
President.