Arizona miner., 1864-08-24
EXPLANATORY.

officers to spend much time in explaining their
course OF conduct so long as it is neither rregu-
lar nor unsatisfactory to q majority OF the people
AS, however, the charge that the Territorial gov
ernment OF Arizona has been unnecessarily de-
layed by the officials has been harped upon by
certain irresponsible parties until it has gained
credence in some quarters, we ask attention to
the annexed simple statement OF facts, which, we
believe, to be an all sufficient answer to the as.
persion; The illness and death of Governor
Gurley necessarily postponed the time which had
been liked for the departure of the officials from
the States. Governor Goodwin was appointed
Oh the 10th of August, 1863, aud left New York
on the 9th of that month, accompanied by most
OF the officials, for Arizona, via Leavenworth and
Santa Fe. The delays upon the route were
such as are incident to a journey, with heavy
tram. through an hostile Indian country in win
ter, over mountain road, part of which was
travelled for the first time in the preceding cum
mer. The officials arrived at Fort Whipple on
the I'D of January last. Preparations we're
made, without delay, for taking the census, and
by the next express from Fl. Whipple to Tue
son the Marshal was notified of the organization
of the government, (which had been made at the
Navajo Springs, on the 29th of December) and
directed to take the census. He came to Fort
Whppe as soon as possible, but after Governor
Goodwin had left to explore the country TO the
east, for which the escort sent with him from
Santa Fe had been delayed, by order of General
Carleton, and which exploration was considered
important before locating the capital. All nee
essary instructions for taking the census had
been previously prepared, SO that no delay was
occasioned. The Governor returned to Fort
Whipple on the 18th of March, and on the 22d
left for Tucson, upon the urgent invitation of its
citizens, in petition signed by over four hundred
persons. While there he issued proclamation
organizing the courts throughout the Territory.
All officers were appointed as soon as suitable
persons could be found willing to take the Off
ces. The Governor visited the whole southern
country, comforting with the people at every i'm
portant point.
The great distances to be travelled, the want
of transportation, the difficulty in securing the
necessary company or escorts for safety greatly de-
layed the taking of the census. The Marshal
and his Deputies were instructed to have the re-.
turns in by the lst of April but it was late in
May before they were completed, and then only
by the most lsborious exert:on
The Governor returned to Fort Whipple from
Tucson, on the Oath of May, and on the 2etb
two days after, from the census returns then re-
ceived, made an apportionment Of the repregen
tation, and Issued his proclamation ordering al
election to be held on the 18th of July. Ate
this date census returns were received which
were not included.
The interval between the date of the proclaim
alton and the day of election was no more thai
was absolutely required to give efficient notice
and to enable the people to confer together il
the selection OF candidates. Twenty days wer
allowed for the returns OF the election to b
brought in, but none were received from the Sec
ond District until the morning of Saturday las
the 10th instant liz the afternoon of the sam
day the returns were canYassed, the result an
nounced, and the time and place of meeting {
the Legislative Assembly declared, as is show
by the proclamations printed in another column
We think no member will complain that III
time given him to arrange his business, and reac
the capital, is too long. nor will any reasonab
man listen 10 the idle and ungenerous accus.
tons Of wful or unnecessary delay on the pa
Of the Territorial officials. Unreasonable me
and we have such 10 Arizona as ia all quartz