Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-09

NN NLF' H HH NH
ala reporter. are n much interest
Particularly Is this true o.
the fun c%fedentiai for statehood
which the Judge gives New Mexico 81
e result OF his residence and officiaI
duties there for five years past Tho
conservative tendency there. the lack
of race controversy through the state
as u whole. the character Of the ma
i've. even though nIiterate, as quail
fled for citizenship. and the generally
optimistic view Of the prospects Of the
new state viii present a new idea to
many OF New England. Judge Abbott
admits that he vent 70 New Mexico
opposed 70 statehood and believing
that Il were better that the federal
government should retain a controll-
Ing hand for a longer time, but that
be soon was convinced Of the desir-
ability and feasibility II independent
state government. one may hope that
his estimate shall be Justified. The
| people OF New Mexico meet their first
and most important test Of seIf-goy-
eminent in the seIectlon Of the state
constitutional convention n its acts.
which Is the next step toward full
statehood.
The most Interesting part Of Judge
Abbott's comment on the New Mex
lean situation j. that which has to do
with the native. sometimes d%erisiyely
styled greasers. New E~nglan1ers,
whether gaining Information through
observation incidental to travel
through the southwest or By the liter
allure or the day. identify the New
Mexican native with the Mexican
'grcaser.' wins constitutes a consider
able part 81 the cheap labor Of that
section, and who combines with his
iilteracy "a laxity Of moral and eco
monte sense which is apt to make him
AZ undesirable citizen. Judge Abbott
marks the distinction between the Now
Mexican and the Old Mexican, and
protests that the native who c0nsti-
tutcs hair the population Of New
Mexico should be judged for himself
ana given credit for the sturdy. re-
liable qualities which he displays 10
who becomes familiar with
him. Better acquaintance with this
New Mexican deserves to be culti-
yDted. for Il VIII lead to a more right
eons judgment on the part OF national
opinion concerning the terms Of the
franchise, the establishment Of edu-
tests. the degree Of demo-
dunn plans. or the popular election Of
which are destined 10 be
prominent features Ia the constltu-
ional discussion.
Judge Abbott has found this ma
live "a capable citizen. patriotic, with
for the law in excess OF that
n many an importation into the ter
'itory. thrifty, as is evidenced by the
act that there II not an almshouse
n the state. and that families or COM
nuniiies care for their own d%cpen-
tents without 10 the public
r%easuries. He has found them good
urymen, and service IN the jury box
= "a pretty good test. Illiteracy does
lot NEAR degeneracy. and many a
nan who has not had the opportunity
o learn TO read and write has lm-
'royed such opportunity 70 cultivate {
liz other senses to g degree that DEM
that all knowledge does not
via the alphabet. But while the =
resent generation IS getting along =
airly well without knowledge Of the I
'nglish language, the importance OF (
lch education 10 the coming genera
~ not disregarded. and tho public
ehool is welcomed. There Is no i,
that the educational provisions 6
{ the enabling act viii be heartily
'clc0med.
IAN this Is interesting. IN he d
Of his New Highlander. whose .
environment has laid emphasis on the I
dncaiipnal test as a necessary pro- 4
Of citizenship, such a test not b
My IL not essential 60 the initial es- E
ihlishmcnt OF tho new state. but .
.ouid work an injustice IN deprlvlng r
large percentage Of capable and 1T J
crsons of their rights OF citizenship
Judge Abbott Is q believer In a broad
nd liberal franchise. While not an
iVocnte of the initiative and refer
idum, himself. apparently he does 9
see such gross dangers IN the pro- i
sion should IL De embodied in the a
a'o constitution lie has no fears Is
racial controversy. although there D
evident prejudice in some sections =
the territory. Nor does he fear a b.
'monstration OF the political radi- &c
.lism Of the Oklahoma constitution "a
together, his view Is optimistic and !,
L. comments encourage a better an. n
recitation Of the action OF President 10
itt in insisting 90 the performance "a
the platform pledge aud the mlm- y
ent OF iong-deaycd justice Tor the n
'ople Of New Mexico. pI
A COMMANDING FIGURE. q