OCR Text |
Show 1880 TO 1912 093 ‘Well, gentlemen, it’s done,’’ said President Taft, in the executive office in the White House at eight minutes after three o’clock in the afternoon of August twenty-first, ninetee n hundred eleven, as he finished affixing his seal of approval upon the resolution admitting New Mexico and Arizona as states in the Union. The executive office was crowded 5% with persons interested in the signing of the resolution, and deep silence prevail ed as with four different pens the president completed his signatu re and the date, and the deed was accomplished. The enthusiasm which prevailed in New Mexico on receipt of the News was rampant all over the state. Bonfires blazed in every town from Folsom to Columbus, and from Farmington to Carlsbad. Many meetings were held in all parts and the joyous citizens let out all of the pent-up enthusiasm for six months accumu lating during the statehood struggle now so gloriously ended. The signing of the resolution ended the fight for stateho od, the Struggle having continued for fifty-eight years, a contest unparal leled in the history of the United States. The records of human achievement fail to record a more remarkable struggle for self-gov- ‘fnment than the prolonged, determined, and patriotic campaign of the people of New Mexico. For more than half a century the fight Was carried to the enemy; in the face of discouragements, setbacks which would utterly discourage a less vigorous and virile people; in the face of years of contumely, ridicule, slander and villificat ion, indifference and misrepresentation, New Mexico finally won her Se 502 There were present Delegate Andrews and Delegate Cameron; Congress- gen Flood, Senator Penrose; Congressman Connell, Weydeman Draper, Hoval mith, of Arizona, and some newspaper representatives. The word had passed that the resolution would be signed at three o’clock, and at about that hour the Visitors began to arrive at the executive office. A few minutes after three ee en message on the cotton bill. aoe ee vB) re | a a third pen he wrote ‘‘ August 21,’’ and with a fourth, After the signature had been affixed of those present grouped themSelves on one side of the room, with the some president in the foreground, and a Photograph was taken. No formal program had been arranged, and oot Present were ushered out, while the president proceeded to work on his veto e ae a ation ’s executive proceeded to read it himself. He then picked up ph soins a Wrote the word ‘“Approved.’’ He was given another pen and wrote ** William Howard Taft,?? With e year, ‘°1911,7? ae said he, Gong e e te he sat at a desk. ‘‘Has anyone gone over this,’’ ee room, where loo ing around ag though he wanted to be sure he was not signing the original Flood resolution. Senator Penrose assured the president it was all right, but the te Pte Pas a oe Bee to the president’s .eee ee anata eta 2S BB Ce er ee tee ee shown ee Coe OO ee eer ee Se * ioe a ee oo ae ae Bee's SoeCae) & ey a ha ee ee ee ee eh. Sak. een, at. ae. oe oe det re Ge OS «Se Aa i all were laid the resolution before the president. |