Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-03-09
GOOD T|D|NGS
FROM BURSUM
Beveridge Bill With Object
ionable Features Elimi-
mated VIII Pass
WILL TAKE CARE OF DEBTS
New Mexico Should Have Adop-
ted Constitution Last Year
and Submitted 1t.


the bill granting statehood to New
Mexico and Arizona will be reported
favorably from the senate committee
ON territories during the present
week. with practically all OF the OBJ
jectionable features of the bill re-
moved; and that it will be passed by
the Senate without delay and with
practically a unanimous vote, this is
the very cheerful message brought to
New Mexico by Chairman H. o. Bur-
sum of the New Mexico Republican
committee, who arrived in Albuquer-
que yesterday from stay of several
weeks in Washington, where he has
been engaged in work with the senate
committee in connection with the Dill.
1t is, by long odds, the most en-
couraging advice as to statehood
which has been received since the
Beveridge bill went to the commit
tee: for of late, the press reports as
regards the chances of the bill have
not been encouraging. Mr.. Bursum
says, however, that the press reports
for some reason which he does not
understand, have not reflected the true
condition of affairs in the senate COM
mittee or in the Senate and that, in
stead of being discouraging, the out
look has never been so certain for sue
cess of the enabling act.
In addition, practically all of the
provisions of the Beveridge bill, to
which objection has been made, have
been eliminated.
No Legislature in 1911.
The provisions for the regular elec-
tion in 1910, for territorial and coun-
ty officers, which would have brought
four general elections within period
of twelve months, have been eliminat-
ed and under the bill as it now stands,
officers elected in 1908 will hold over
until the completion of the state gov
ernment, while there will be no legis-
lature in 1911.
The reservation by the government
of power to control unappropriated ir-
rigation waters and of supervision
over power sites, to which general OBJ
lection has been made, has been re-
moved entirely.
Will Take Care of Debt.
There is still some question as to
the amount of land which will be ap-
propriated for caring for the terri
torial and county debt. The new state
will be required to take care of the
railroad aid bonds outstanding against
Santa Fe and Grant counties. It is GER
tain that sufficient land will be appro-
priated to care for these bonds. How
much additional has not been deter
mined by Mr. Bursum believes the
appropriation will be generous.
Apportionment Based on 1908 Election
There will be no change in the pro-
visions for representation in the con-
stitutional convention, save an amend
ment providing for representation for
Curry county.
No Disfranchisement of Native Voters
The matter of the franchise is caus-
ing no trouble as regards New Mexico,
the franchise matter having come up
in connection with the provision of
the Beveridge bill which repeals the
Arizona election law of 1909, passed
by the Democratic legislature of that
territory and which if allowed to
stand would disfranchise a large num-
ber of citizens.
Admission in Summer of 1911.
The provision giving power to Con-
gress to reject the constitution, will
remain. 1t has been amended, how
ever so that Congress must reject the
constitution prior to March 1, 1911
making it possible to fix definite dates
for completion of the state govern
ment, which, as the bill now stands
will be in the early summer of 1911.
There will be few, if any other
changes in the bill which Mr. Bur
sum expects to pass within a very
short time.
More Hopeful Now Than Ever Before
"In stead of being discouraging, as
the press dispatches you seem te
have had out here would Indicate, the
statehood situation is more encourag
ing now than it has ever been" sale
Mr.. Bursum. 'In fact, barring new
conditions about which We know moth
ing at all and which we cannot antici
pate, the statehood bill will be report
ed during the present week and will
pass the Senate with little delay ant
practically by unanimous vote. There
is no reason to expect any opposition
in the House to the Senate bill and |
is probable that the measure as it ha