Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-07-14

Juty s, 1920.
| Dear Mr.. Journal Editor:
At n recent meeting of the Albu-
| querque Kiwanis club the program
speaker, Mr.. We'll, deplored the eX-
| istence over the United States of
the idea that Albuquerque, New
Mexico, was in Old Mexico, and
h part of unfortunte sister repub-
lie (?); various publicity remedies
were suggested following the gen
tleman's remarks. DR.. Hope suG-
| geSted in a resolution, ! believe,
that changing the name of the state
appealed to him as the best solu-
ton; the writer seconded the reso-
| luton as did a number of other
members of the club and with but
two exceptions every Kiwanis pres
rent voted that the club go into the
question of changing the name of
the state of New Mexico. A num-
Der of good citizens have bale /
out" the Kiwanis cluc, the author
of the resolution and the writer
among others for seconding and
voting for such "foor CD idea.
anu tlS Il w itiltll anu
l hope patriotic citizen of New
Mexico may l defend myself. The
change of name doubtless had
never occurred to many of us; but
instant approval though | am
sure we shall be glad to hear the
opposition argument for which
there is ample time as the state
constitution will nave to be amend
ed to permit a change of name.
While the New Sweden and New
Holland of colonial days were
changed, ] believe, to New York
and New Jersey no state of the
union has ever changed its name.
For New Mexico to even discuss
it seriously would produce such
sufficient publicity l hope to en-
tighten the fasteners who persist
in adding foreign postage on New
Mexico mail matter attaching for
eign import manifests to our ship
ments. quoting prices to our mer-
chants with customs duties not
included" requesting passports to
Albuquerque or Santa Fe, declining
checks drawn ons New Mexico
banks account "our relations with
our unfortunate sister republic"
etc. I believe the discussion alone
might do this. Again our present
name certainly has no commercial
value; we are not the sunflower
state ana no beer has ever
made us famous. The eastern in
vestor unconsciously thinks of the
chaotic conditions of Mexico when
ever New Mexico investments are
mentioned: he thinks we're the
same people with only the boun-
iary line between us and revolu-
ton. Subconsciously perhaps he
pictures hordes of savage Yaqui
Indians instead of the Industrious
Puebles; of Villas bandits in
stead of the toiling farmer and
tockmen of our state and there
are plenty of other places for his
investment. We have nothing in
common with old Mexico; why sug-
gest that we have by our name. I
believe in sentiment as well as
commerce but can the present
Spanish American feel any partic-
ular sentiment-other than sorrow
or association with old Mexico,
always a land of poverty, brigand-
age and misgovernment. Why not
a name like New Spain with its
many glorious traditions, or q name
suggesting Columbus or his hacker,
queen Isabella; or Benjamin
Franklin, jefferson. Lincoln; or
again in keeping with the names of
many of our states, one of the
Indian tribes, the Navajos or
acoma Pueblo; but at any rate l
believe the matter worthy Of sseri.
Del = IL - ss<l-@4-a- ss--k y