New Mexico became the 47th state 100 Years Ago

From Capitol Report New Mexico - On January 6, 1912 New Mexico became the 47th state in the union. President William Howard Taft signed Proclamation 1175 to make it official. After signing it, Taft reportedly said, “Well, it is all over. I am glad to give you life. I hope you will be healthy.” I wonder if the 6-2, 300-pound president then retired to his specially-made bathtub. Click here to read the proclamation from that day. There’s an excellent page on the website of the New Mexico Office of the State Historian recounting the meandering story of how New Mexico was finally admitted into the Union. Interestingly, for years there was hardly any clamor from residents to become a state. In fact, during the Congressional session of 1889-90, lawmakers on Capitol Hill actually received a petition from New Mexicans opposed to statehood. Why? The petitioners argued that New Mexico was “at present totally unfitted for such responsibilities, and that federal control from Washington was preferable to ‘home rule’ by unscrupulous politicians.” I guess some things haven’t changed much. Read more

New Mexico became the 47th state 100 Years Ago