Arizona citizen., 1875-10-23
Sonora, Her Troubles and Al.
 fiictiOns.

Our recent advices from Sonora show that new contribution of $30,000 ha: been imposed upon the people of So nora and also that the government IS in feverish excitement over rumors of revolutionary movements. We are sincerely sorry for the sfflictions that seem to follow thick and fast upon that unfortunate country. Possessed of re- markably favorable natural resources, with soil and climate capable of pro- ducing almost any thing that is grown in any cline, with extensive pasture lands and vast mineral wealth and a harbor second only to that of San Francisco, the question naturally ari- ses, why this poverty and discontent which are wide spread over the coun- try Why are her poor emaciated people constantly leaving for other countries, so poor as to be objects of pity, while the country is daily running down and the people growing poorer?
 There is surely something wrong in this condition of affairs. Arizona with no outlet to the sea, with certain ly no superior resources, is making rapid progress and large element of our population comes from that State. The reasons for this condition of af. fairs to us is plain and easily remedied. No general system of education has ever been adopted in that State and as a consequence the masses are Tn ig- norance and few ambitious leaders are enabled to control them for their own selfish purposes. Hence a system of pionage exists in that country which reduces the poorer classes to a semi condition of slavery: no general svs- tem of taxation exists and forced con uloutions are levied, usually with great partiality, while the collection is so speedily made as to often cause a great sacrifice of property. Crime to great extent goes unpunished, there by leaving the industrious and well disposed, to suffer without the protec- ton of the law.
 The basis of prosperity in all coun- tries consists in the intelligence. con- tentment and independence of the lower classes. Crush them into the earth as in Sonora and poverty, discop. tent and revolution are sure to result
 The remedy is easy. Establish A general system of education; equalize taxation; abolish pionage; and before live years Sonora will be seized with new life. Instead of dilapidated novels for the poor, neat cottages will rise; the farms that are now growing up ln weeds will wave with fields of grain; intelligence and liberalitv will take the place of ignorance and fanati- cism' and joy and peace will reign throughout the land. Had Governor Pesqueira taken this advanced DC si- aon In behalf of his people twenty years ago, when he first assumed con trol of that State, he would be looked up to by the intelligent and good everywhere, as one of the wisest and best of rulers, and his name would go doWn to posterity beside those of the great phIlanthropists of the world put see the contrast; his power and position are sustained by military force, and his successor is in hourly lear Of revolt and only expects to hold ms power at the point of the bayonet Had Governor Pesqueira used his power and influence to educate and elevate his people, today they would nock around him, and without the use Oi bayonets or force they would freely give him anything within their gift.
 We speak of these matters as they appear to us, with sincere desire to see the people of Sonora prosperous and happy. We know and like many of them; our trade with Sonora is con siderable, and increases in proportion to their prosperity; so that in every point of view we wish we'll for So. nora