New Mexico's Quest for Statehood, 1846-1912

XIV. The Jointure Movement

FOURTEEN proposal to join Arizonaand New Mexico as one state was rejected during the 5yth Congress, consideration of jointure subsequently took new forms and dominated the statehood movement for the next four years.The Republican majority in Congress, led by the clever and energetic Beveridge, confident after his victory over Quay, gave strength to the jointuremovement . The proposed union was not without historical precedent since Arizona had been part of the Territory of New Mexico until 1863. A need for better government in the area, and a desire on the part of Arizonans for independence, had brought separation. President James Buchanan, in his messageto Congress on December 8,1857, had recommended the division ,1 which finally wasaccomplished sixyears later. The current proposal for union, however, occupied a singular position among enabling acts. There had been discussion of jointurefor the territories as earlyas 1893, when the Washington Post had commented unfavorably on the idea. The fact that the total area of the combined territories would still be approximately 30,000 square miles less than that of Texas was considered by this journal a poor argument for admitting another state of "abnormal and uncomfortable size."2 Senator John Sherman of Ohio wrote the following year that there was"a strong feeling . . . to annex Arizonato NewMexico and admit the 2 as one state."3 The Philadelphia Press, unfavorable to separate statehood in 1902, had suggested jointure for the Oklahoma and Indian territories as well as the two Southwestern ones, so that the four 226 The Jointure Movement LTHOUGH THE COMPROMISE A THE JOINTURE MOVEMENT 227 territories would become two large states.4 Finally there had been the effort in 1903 duringthe debate overthe Knox bill. There were numerous motives behind the movement. The East had long been jealousof the growingpolitical power of the West. Representatives from that section resented Western states with their scant populations acquiring so much power in the Senate; jointure would limit that representation. In addition, Western tendencies to accept radical ideas such as Free Silver and Populism made this section suspect. Furthermore, the ceaseless agitation of the few remaining territories made the East fear that some Congress in the future might yield to their claims and grant the West eight additional senators. One thing was certain. Joint statehood as a solution was not the result of any desire by residents of Arizona and New Mexico. The citizens of these territories had been asking for statehood for years but always for single statehood. There wasno animositybetween the two territories, but rather a lack of mutual interests. As Prince put it, the two territories were more disconnected with reference to personal, business, and social relations than many states separated by a greater distance. New Mexico in her business and trade relations faces east, while Arizona looks toward the west.6 The people of the Oklahoma and Indian territories, on the other hand, were favorable to the jointureidea. One government would be less expensive and their consolidation would create an area of comparable size to such neighboring states as Kansas and Nebraska. Admitted singly,both territories would be dwarfed by their giant neighbor to the south, Texas.6 Despite the distinct lack of enthusiasm for jointure in Arizonaand New Mexico, there was considerable pressure to admit them under some arrangement . The Republican party felt a special obligation, havingbeen in power three years sinceits 1900 platform promise of statehood for territories . Republican President Roosevelt had been personally committed to the proposal since the first Rough Rider convention in 1899, and his attitude toward joint statehood was vital. Soon after Beveridge had issued his majority report in December, 1902, a group formed opposing both Quay and Beveridge and secured the President's support for a jointure attempt. But this support was immediately withdrawn, possibly on Beveridge's advice . Later, however, Beveridge reversed his stand and announced that he favored joint statehood because New Mexico and Arizona obviously desired jointure.7 Governor Otero indicates in his memoirs that Roosevelt was edging toward jointure as early as 1903. At the end of that year, Otero, Solomon Luna, and J. F. Wilson, the territorial delegate from Arizona, went to the White House to discuss the statehood proposition informally with the President. All three expressed the opinion that jointurewould be un* 228 NEW MEXICO'S QUEST FOR STATEHOOD fair to both territories.Accordingto Otero, their remarksdid not make the slightest impression and they could plainly see...