Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-08-30

Uuion than any other force. he
came very well acquainted with Sen.
ator Smith, and became his steadfast
friend. When the statehood bill
passed he presented me with large
Photograph of himself, with his auto
graph attached thereto. New Mexico
should, if the opportunity ever offers,
show her gratitude to Senator Smith.
After the senate committee report.
ed the conference resolution to the
senate it seemed again that we were
up against it good and hard. The
insurgent senators were in an ugly
mood and threatened to filibuster, and
one days delay meant the loss of
statehood for New Mexico. Senator
La Toilette, on the very day that the
resolution passed, threatened a fill
buster, but was talked out of his posi-.
tlon by Senator Smith. The senate,
after some discussion, finally came
to a vote on the statehood resolution,
the resolution passing by a vote of
SO to 8, every insurgent senator, with
the exception of Borah, either not
voting or voting against the resolu-
| tion.
when the resolution passed the
| senate we knew we were full-hedged
citizens of the United States of Amer
lea. There was at once a great re-
ioicing in Washington among the
statehood boosters. Champagne flow
ed freely, because we knew the long
fight, which had lasted for about fifty
years, was over, and that our final
efforts had been crowned with glory.
After that it was easy sailing. The
house of representatives operates un-
der rules which stifle filibustering,
and we knew that nothing could de-
feat vote in the house; that the
house would pass the senate resolu-
tion without an amendment, and that
the president would approve it, which
afterwards, as you know, happened"
Mr.. Spiess was here asked, What
was the attitude of the New Mexico
democrats in Washington towards Sc
curing statehood" Mr.. Spiess said.
II believe that a man should at all
tinac ho froyl, ond candid T+ e. ,,,,,
unqualified opinion that the action of
the democrats who appeared before
The house committee last April and
secured the passage of the Flood
retarded, delayed and en-
dangered statehood; that their advo-
cacy of submitting a change in the
New Mexico constitution was indefen-
sible and uncalled for. 1t is also my |
opinion that certain democrats of New
Mexico were directly responsible for
the action of the Oklahoma senator, !
Mr.. Owen, in his attempts to place
the New Mexico election under fed |
eral supervision. But I will say this:
After the Flood resolution had passed |
the house Mr. Burkhart of Albuquer-
que and Messrs. Jones and Hand of
Las Vegas did all they could in a very
intelligent manner in securing the
final action of congress on the con-
ference resolution. Mr. Burkhart is
a good, congenial fellow, and the soul |
of honor, and when you get him off
of politics he is really a delightful
companion. Simon Stern, president
of the Commercial club of Albuquer-
cue, was present in Washington, and
did much good work for us. He is an
exceedingly intelligent man. He
made many friends among members
of congress, and his statements
could be absolutely relied upon.
"Hon. Bird S. Coler of New York |
stayed with us during the entire fight, |
and his presence was absolutely ne
cessary In fact, we needed the unit |
ed efforts of everyone in Washington
in this last fight Delegate Andrews
did his full duty. The presence of
Mr. Coler was particularly advantage
Gus to us. Mr.. Coler is a democrat of
national prominence. He has many
friends among the members of the |
house of representatives and the sem
ate. He brought all his influence tol
bear for statehood; in fact, without
him do not think we would have
ever been able to get two democratic
members of the house committee to
stand by the republicans. The fight
is now over. The people of New
Mexico can hardly appreciate the
great value of statehood to our peo-
pie. To give you just one illustration:
During the last stages of the state
hood fight Chairman Smith received
twelve letters from many different
portions of the United States, re-
questing information concerning New
Mexico as a field for investment"