Hearings Before the Committee on the Territories of the House of Representatives on House Joint Resolution No. 14, Approving the Constitutions

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911. Excerpt: ... STATEMENT OF MR. RICHARD H. HANNA, OF SANTA FE, N. MEX. Mr. Hanna. Mr. Chairman, I shall endeavor to take very little of your time this morning, as I know you must be tired of the length of this hearing. I shall not attempt to discuss the several objections which have been urged here to the constitution of New Mexico. As I understand the occasion for urging the objections, it is a desire to point out the necessity of having, at least for a few years to come, a liberal amendment provision in this constitution, in order that these matters may be corrected, if they are found to be as objectionable as they are now thought to be. We believe with those who urge these amendments that the constitution should be the fundamental organic law. We do not believe that the constitution should be overly easy to amend. It should be stable; but we do believe that the constitution should be possible of amendment, and we can not help but feel at this time that the constitution of New Mexico is almost impossible to amend. We think it is almost impossible to amend in view of the terms and conditions with reference to amendment; but we know it to be impossible to amend knowing the conditions which exist in New Mexico. We would never amend it until we might possibly be able, at the end of 25 years, to get a new constitutional convention. I think it has become clear to some of you, and possibly to most of you, that there are some serious objections to the constitution. Judge Fall has made an able talk before you concerning these matters. He has made some statements with which I fully agree and others with which I do not agree. I do agree with him when he says that the constitution should be a yardstick. I think it should be the measure of our authority and power under it, and I d...