Message to the Congress Recommending Approval of the Constitution of New Mexico

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

The act to enable the people of New Mexico to form a constitution and State government, and be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, etc., passed June 20, 1910, provides that when the constitution, for the adoption of which provision is made in the act, shall have been duly ratified by the people of New Mexico in the manner provided in the statute, a certified copy of the same will be submitted to the President of the United States and to Congress for approval, and that if Congress and the President approve of such constitution, or if the President approve the same and Congress fails to disapprove the same during the next regular session thereof, then that the President shall certify said facts to the governor of New Mexico, who shall proceed to issue his proclamation for the election of State and county officers, etc.

The constitution prepared in accordance with the act of Congress has been duly ratified by the people of New Mexico, and a certified copy of the same has been submitted to me and also to the Congress for approval, in conformity with the provisions of the act. Inasmuch as the enabling act requires affirmative action by the President, I transmit herewith a copy of the constitution, which, I am advised, has also been separately submitted to Congress, according to the provisions of the act, by the authorities of New Mexico, and to which I have given my formal approval.

I recommend the approval of the same by the Congress.

WILLIAM H. TAFT.

THE WHITE HOUSE, February 24, 1911.