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Show 1880 TO 1912 505 fit to shirk this responsibility and, session after session, continued in its opposition to the demands of the people of New Mexico. The delegates chosen under the provisions of the act providing for the convention met at Santa Fé, September 3, 1889, and continued in session until the 23d of that month. The convention was composed of men of the highest character and ability , who patiently devoted their time and talents to the great work intrusted to them, receiving no pecuniary compensation whatever. The result of their labors was worthy and reflected honor upon the territory at large, the constitution as prepared being without doubt the best at that time formulated in the United States. Copies of it were laid before congress, but no action was taken. The constitution as drafted, with some minor amendments, added at a session beginn ing August 18, 1890, and continuing for three days, was submitted to the people on October 7, 1890, for ratification. The leaders of the democratic party, prior to the election for delegates to this convention, had declined to take part in framing the constitution , the position taken by them having been caused by differences of opinio n between the leaders of the two great parties as to the representati on which should be accorded the democratic party in the convention. There was only one democrat in the convention, L. S. Trimble, of Alburq uerque. Owing to this opposition and influences brought to bear upon the population of native birth, the constitution failed of adoption, the vote in favor being 7,493 and against, 16,180. The members of the supreme court, United States attorne y, and marshal, appointed by President Harrison, were James O’Brien, chief Justice, John R. MecFie, William D. Lee, A. A. Freeman, and Edward P. Seeds, associate justices, Trinidad Romero, marshal, and Eugene A. Fiske, United States attorney.‘ #28 James O’Brien was born May 15, 1837, in Wicklow, Ireland, and came to America at the age of twelve, settling in Ohio, in Schools of which he received his early training. Clark county, in the common He graduated from Notre ame University in 1858. mater until 1863, when He held the chair of ancient languages at his alma he accepted lege in the state of Wisconsin. a similar position at Sinsinawa Tn 1864, he married Catheryn Mound ecol- of Galena, Later he studied law, was admitted to practice in March, Lyons, 1868, and began ® practice at Lansing, Iowa. In the summer of 1870, he removed to Caledonia, Minn., where he died November 5, 1909. He held the office of county attorney in Minnesota for several years; was state senator four years, and was appointed chief Justice of the supreme court of New Mexico by Benjamin Harri- Son and served from 1889 to 1893. of his state, His command Judge O’Brien ranked with the best lawyers of language was marvelous. As a teacher he was |