Arizona republican., 1890-11-18
SHOWING HIS HAND.

The hypocrisy of Mark Smiths claims of being a friend to the settler and the opponent of the land grant claimants are, now, since the election, becoming fully apparent. It was shown by a number of Republican papers in the closing days of the campaign that Mir. Smith was not sincere m his professions of friendship for the settler, but that he was in reality working in behalf of the grant claimants. Now comes the Tucson Star, the oldest and leading Democratic paper, and one which stands very close to Mir. Smith-in fact, sort of personal organ of his, and says:
 The land gran problem of Arizona remains unsettled. seve ral remedies and methods have been suggested for the settlement of these titles Several land court bills have been urged by some, and opposed by others, and the Star believes the advocates for and against, have been honest in their views but the title to these grants remain unsettled all the same What the people of southeastern Arizona de- mands is the settlement of these titles against or for claimants, and in accord with the law and the facts. How can this result be most speedily achieved is the question?
 The Star has maintained for the last fifteen years that the settlement of these titles be- longed to the Judicial Department of the Government; that the determination of the title depended upon the law as applied Co the facts in each case; that the proceeding was en- trely judicial one, and that any determina- tion by Congress does not bar judicial pro- ceedings.
 The Star is still of the same opinions and we believe that land court is necessary to the rapid and final settlement of the land grant problem in Arizona. It would appear that a land court bill could be framed which would insure to all settlers on grants their lands and improvements in case the title to the grants were found to be good, and that in lieu of the lands secured to settlers the Government should be obliged to issue land script to the grant claimants which could be applied on any Gov ernment lands. Such a bill would protect the settlers and in any event his home, land and improvements would be secured to him.
 The Star would suggest that Hon. Marcus A. Smith, our delegate to Congress, be requested to meet with our people and discuss this ques ton and see if some practical solution, such as the above cannot be arrived at He can then return to Congress with full understanding of the wish of the people on this subject and he can strengthen himself and his party by so doing.
 When the bill to establish Land Court was introduced in the present Congress, Arizona, through many of her leading citizens, asked to be omitted from the operations of the bill. MT. Smith did not join in this request, and as an excuse said he would offer an amendment to the original bill which would cover the question. His failure to work with his constituents in itself looked suspicious, and House bill No. 1859, which he introduced, was framed directly in the interest of the grant claimants.
 The article in the Star bears on it's face the evidence of having been pre- pared directly at Mark Smiths dicta- tion. Playing with the grant claimants during his last term he now desires to come out more boldly in their interests. Such articles as these pave the way. In the next Congress, or even in the clos ing session of the present Congress, he can work more openly as the representa- tive of Reavis and others, and when taken to task can well exclaim: "Well, my constituents want this. Old and leading papers of the Territory outlined such course when l was at home, and they represent the people"
 The alarm must be sounded, and the settlers of Arizona must keep close eye on Marcus A. Smith to see that he does not betray them. A land court is not wanted for this Territory. We will set tie the land question for ourselves if left alone. Let Mark Smith carry through his bill and the Reavis grant would arise again to cast an everlasting blight upon, not only the Salt River Valley, but the entire Territory.