Leading facts of New Mexican history, volume 2

Page 416

590 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY 1880 Four days after receiving the message from the president, the committee on territories of the house of representatives approved the constitution submitted by the people of New Mexico, and, on March 1, the house gave its formal approval to the document. Three days later, Senator Dillingham, of the senate committee on territories, reported House Joint Resolution Number 295. Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, objected to the passage of the resolution unless the approval lution. carry, of the Arizona Senator but Owen Senator constitution fully Bailey, was expected with made that several a part of the other the reso- resolution would democrats, voted against the Arizona rider, as did all the regular republicans, and it was voted ‘down by a vote of 45 to 39, thus ending the statehood matter in the sixty-first congress. The elections of 1910 resulted in a change of control of the house of representatives; the republican party was no longer in power in the senate, several tors voting with of the so-called the democrats ‘‘progressive’’ whenever any republican question sena- involving their ideas of government was at stake. This condition of affairs gave the democratic leaders of New Mexico hope that by careful manipulation congress might be induced, in its action upon the approval of the New Mexico constitution, to include some amendment which would either defeat the constitution altogether or compel the advocates of statehood prominent democrats to accept was held afterwards known as House the so-called ‘‘blue ballot?’ acknowledged parent. At Washington having in view afterward became known the terms offered. A meeting of at Alburquerque, where, what was J oint Resolution No. 14, providing for was born, Andreius A. Jones being 11s this meeting a committee was sent to the passage of this amendment, which as the Flood resolution. The fate of the constitution submitted by the people of New Mexico, during the summer of 1911, hung in the balance. A reference chronologically to events occurring during the discussion of the Flood resolution been submitted to me and also to congress, ' ci he for approval in conformity with t provisions of the act. ‘‘TInasmuch as the enabling act ; ident requires affirmative action by I transmit herewith a copy ee of the constitution, which I am advisec +t, by the Separately submitted to congress, according to the provisions of the ac ad authorities of New Mexico, and to which I have given my formal approval. ‘‘T recommend the approval of the same by congress. ‘‘WHITE HOUSE, February 24, TAFT.’ 1911. WILLIAM H. Té TO 1912 591] and other proposed amendments is given in a note.5° On the 8th of August, H. J. R. Number 14, the Flood resolution, requi ring Arizona to vote again on the artic le in its constitution providing for the recall of the judiciary, and a re-submission of the New Mexic o amendment clause passed the Senat e by a vote of 53 to 18. On the 15th of August, Presiden t Taft, in a special message to the 500 On March 4, Delegate Andre ws’s resolution, amended to was defeated by a vote of include Arizona, 45 to 39. Senator Owen conducted a filibuster for more than eleven single-handed hours. In hig speech he contended that had a progressive constitution ‘‘ Arizona with the initiative and refer endum. on the other hand, has not. New Mexico, Arizona is democratic and progre Mexico is republican and retrog ressive.’’ He announced his deterssive. New hold the floor until time to adjou mination to rn, reports on appropriation bills, unless thus keeping the senate from approving the the two territ ories were admitted together, Finally, he was assured that there would be an extra sessio n, called immediately after the close of the 61st, Vicepresident Sherman bringing him this word from the president. Senator Owen then consented to yield the floor if a vote were taken immediately on the amended territories would come in; if it did resolution. He knew that if it passed both not, both would be kept out until the extra The result was the defeat of On April 4, at the extra session, the resolution. Congressman Flood introduced a joint resolution admitting the states of footing with the other states. Deleg Arizona and New Mexico on an equal mitting New Mexico, and Delegate ate Andrews introduced a resolution adCameron, of Arizona, introduced a simila resolution affect r Session. ing Arizona. April 13, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, : 28, and 29 were devoted to hearin gs before the house committee on territories, during which members of the committee became convinced that New Mexic ans should vote on a substitute for Article XIX, the amending article, and the people of Arizona should vote on the recall of the judiciary, both territories to become States regardless of the outco of the election. me May 12, the Plood resolution was report ed to the house with the amendment regarding elections in the two territ ories above described. at May 23, the Flood resolution, as amend ed, passed the house without division, atter motion of the minority leader , Mann, to recommit the resolution to committee had been lost, 54 to 214. May 25, the Flood resolution was received by the senate and referr Committee on territories. ed to the June 16, 17, and 23, hearings were held by the senate committee on territoe ories. June 24, the Flood resolution, with minor amendments, was voted on by the Senate committee on territories, and the chairman of the committee was author Wed to make favorable report to the senate. July 11, the Flood resolution was reported favorably to the senate. July 13, an amendment by Senator Nelson, of Minnesota, in the nature of Substitute for the Flood resolution, was presented. This amendment woulda adopt the New Mexico constitution withou t change and required Arizona to cut Out the recall of the judiciary before becoming a state. July 14, an agreement was reached by which a vote was to be taken on Statehood matter on the August 7th. August 8th, the Nelson substitute was defeated in the senate by a vote of to 26, The Flood resolution, requiring Arizona to again vote on the recall a e Judiciary and re-submission of New Mexic o amendment clause, was passe Y & vote of 53 to 18.