NEW MEXICO
511
NEW MEXICO.
Constitution and Government. — New Mexico from the time of its discovery by Emopeans was politically associated with Mexico. On May 11, 1846, the Mexican war began ; when peace was made February 2, 1848, New Mexico was recognised as belonging to the United States. On Sep- tember 9, 1850, the Organic Act of the Territory was passed by the United States Congress. The boundaries of the Territory had been made to includ- part of Texas, but Utah was formed into a separate Territory ; in 1861 part of New Mexico was transferred to Colorado, aud in 1863 Arizona was dis- joined, leaving to NeAV Mexico its present area.
In June, 1910, Congress passed an Enabling Act permitting the Territory of New Mexico to frame a State Constitution. This was ratified by Congress and the President, and in November, 1911, New Mexico was admitted to Statehood.
The Constitution provides for the election of a Governor, Lieutenant- Governor, Secretary of State and other State officials, including a corporation commission, consisting of three members. Under the Constitution these officers elected in November, 1911, hold office until 1915, thereafter. State and county officers are- elected every four years. The State legislature consists of 24 members of the Senate and 47 members of the House of Representatives. Under the reapportionment the State is entitled to one member of Congress, in place of two chosen at the first State legislature.
Governor.— y^nilisim C. McDonald, 1911-15 (5,000 dollars). Secretary of State — Antonio A. Lucero.
For local government the State is divided into 26 counties. The administrative capital of the State is Santa Fe, population (as shown by the census of 1910), 5,072.
Area, Population, Instruction. —Area, 122,634 square miles. Of
the population in 1910, 304,602 were whites, 20,573 Indians, 1,628 negro or of African descent, 246 Chinese, and 252 Japanese. In 1910 there were 175,245 males and 152,056 females. In four census years the population was : —
Years
Population
Per sq. mile
Years
Population
Per sq. mile
1880 1890
119,. 565 i 1-0 i 153,593 j 1-3
' 1900 1910
195,310 327,301
1-6
2-7
The largest towns are Albuquerque with 11,020 inhabitants, East Las Vega.s 3,755 ; Las Vegas, 3,179 ; Roswell, 6,172 ; and Santa Fe with 5,072. In 1908 it was estimated from the poll books that about 47 per cent, of the population Avas of Spanish, Mexican, and Indian descent, and 53 per cent, of Anglo-Saxon and other descent. Since then the proportions have changed owing to the settlement of many of Anglo-Saxon origin in the territory ; and this change is confirmed by the increasing use of the English language and English newspapers. Indian reservations with an area of 2,655 square miles have Indian population of 18,129, chiefly Navaho, Apache, and Pueblo (or town) Indians.
