Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-01-14
M e S S &C e
Governor of Arizona.

~VVOtIuVtV VI SAIIAOuu0s
GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY OF THE TERRITORY OF
ARIZONA:
1t is the duty of the Executive tx
lay before you, at the commencement
of your sessions, such information con.
corning the affairs of the Territory
and make such suggestions with re.
gard to its interests and wants, a:
may aid you in your deliberations
You have been chosen at a time OF
peculiar interest to the Territory.
1t now exceeds two years since 8
session of the Legislative assembly
has convened. During that period,
the improvements and population OF
the Territory have steadily increased.
Many valuable mines have been dis
covered, and the yield from those in
operation have been remunerative.
Practical experience and prudent
economy to great extent have taken
the place of theoretical and extrava-
giant mining; agriculture has kept
pace with the demand for produce and
several new farming settlements have
sprang into fourishing existence. It
is now demonstrated fact, that Ari-
IONA has locked up in her rock bound
mountains vast deposits of the pre-
cious metals, and that her grazing
and agricultural resources are unsur-
passed.
Experience and the development Of
our resources have demonstrated the
necessity of amending some of our
statutes, and of framing new ones.
To your intelligent care these interests
are confded, and it is to be hoped you
will give them that careful considera-
ton the importance of the subjec: de-
mands.
THE INDIANS.
The question Of paramount import
ance since the acquisition of the Ter
ritory, has been, and is now, the hos
tility of the Apache Indians. The
history of these Indians is written in
blood. They have caused the bones
of our people to lie bleaching along
every highway and in every settle
ment of the Territory; their fortunes,
murders and robberies, hang like the
dark pail Of night over every enter
prise: stealthily they creep upon the
farmer in the field, or lie in ambush
by the road side for the unsuspecting
taking little or no risk for
their own safety, they spring from
upon their victims with
murderous effect; uomadic in their
habits, they roam generally in small
bands over nearly the whole Territory,
and cause insecurity and loss of life
and property over the larger portion
Of it.
No people in the early settlement
Of any of our Territories have suffer-
ID more or met with greater loss Of
life and property in proportion to
the population and wealth than those
IF Arizona, and none have faced these
hangers and endured the hardships
incident to pioneer settlements with
greater fortitude.
fThe troops in the Territory have
&en active, and in the main COM
by brave and efficient officers,
but the force is entirely inadequate to
The prosecution of an energetic, ag-
yressive war, and no other kind of
war will ever reduce the Apache to
Several previous Legislatures have
Congress to give the
Governor authority to raise volun-
5eers, and our Delegate has introduced
4 bill for this purpose, but so far no
action thereon has been taken by that
body.
I am of the opinion that volunteers
,aised among our own people, Injured
20 the climate, acquainted with the
habits of the Indians and the country,
aud fighting for their homes and fire.
sides, would be found efficient and in
5he end more economical for the Gov
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