Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-02-22
LEADING BUSINESS MEN AND
OFFICIALS SIGN AFFIDAVITS
TO THAT EFFECT
CONGRESS TO KNOW TRUTH
ATTESTED STATEMENTS GOING
TO WASHINGTON IN TO-
NIGHTS MAIL
ACT ON ANDREWS APPEAL
FALSE CHARGES ALL THAT NOW
STAND IN THE WAY OF I'M
MEDIATE STATEHOOD


Tonight there will go speeding to
Washington by the fastest mail a
bundle of affidavits signed by promi-
nent officials and leading business
and professional men of Las Vegas.
Each affidavit, which has been sworn
to, states that the recent election aC
which the constitution for the new
state of New Mexico was ratified by
the people by an overwhelming ma
jority, was conducted absolutely in
accordance with law and that no init
midation, coercion or other methods
were utilized in connection with the
election; that all SALOONS were closed
during the election and that no intoxi-
eating liquors were in evidence about
the polling places.
The affdavits were prepared in re-
sponse to a telegram from Delegate
in Congress w. H. Andrews to F. o.
Blood and Secundino Romero. The
message. which was received last
night. stated that ex-senator Blair and
others have raised the question of the
validity of the election at which the
constitution was adopted Joining
with Mr.. Blair in the movement are
Mrs Ellis. president of the w. G. I.
q. of America; Mr.. Nicholson, presl-
dent of the National Anti-Saloon
,eague. Rev. ]. l. Seder of the New
Mexico Anti-Saloon league and other
leading temperance workers. These
people have brought up the charge
that Aeverv saloon in all the precincts
was open during the election and tnat
other practices contrary to law were
INDUCED in.
Mr.. Andrews stated the only matter
the committee on territories is now
considering is the validity Of the cleo
+ion The committee will hold its last
meeting of the present term OF con
gress next week. Mr.. Andrews sug
oested the affidavits of all the mer
who sent the telegram attesting the
validity of the election to Presiden
Taft last week be secured and tnos'
of as many other prominent citizens
as cared to sign and swear to sucl
papers. Mr.. Andrews suggested tnl
would have great weight with tn
committee.
Men who signed the recent telegrar
to Mr.. Taft, Mr.. Blood an
many others at once prepared all
davits and circulated them anon
prominent citizens of Las Vega
Notaries we're kept busy swearin
those who signed the aftidavits. "A
a result the committee on terrNorlt
will he made aware soon that Sa
Miguel county's election was absolut
" above question. The affidavits WI
he sent direct to E. l.. Ham1lto
chairman of the house committee
territories. 1t is likely that the
recent will make profound impre
sion on the members of that body.
The unfair means taken by the 81
porters of temperance to defeat t
constitutions acceptance by congre
is bringing forth storm OF prote
from all parts of the territory. 5
Miguel county, always to the fore
matters of public moment, is lei
ing to the best of its ability in
campaign which will result
disproving the charges of the te
perance workers in Washington.
this county, no matter what may
their views regarding temperance
neople are universally of the opin
that the constitution was fairly
honestly adopted and they are sh
ing disposition to go on oath to
effect. Had the time not been SO 81
the afidavits of majority OF
voters of the county could have b
otained. Knowing time was at
MUM the committee today secr