Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-10-04
FOR STATEHOOD.
What Prominent Democrat Thinks of it.

J. W. Crawford in Silver City Enterprise
 There are certain grave questions which arise during the individual political life of an American citizen, which outside of party, requires much consideration and well balanced thought and these ques- tions must be dealt with from the purest and most patriotic motives; for the great est good to the greatest number must take the place of any and all party lines, for the benefit of the masses and for our fellow cooperation with our neighbor Our truest calculations must be placed to the credit of the most good. We must in that instance throw off the yoke of party and be citizen for the best and wisest direction our humble effort can suggest. In this course of action we but prove to the world that we are free, un- trameled, and able to judge for ourselves in any issue that may occur. A grave question is upon us and one that perhaps the majority of the minimizing citizens pass over lightly, or by hearing the ex- pression of another, agree without thought, and yet regret in the future, when the time has passed that more mature deliberation had not been his course. I refer now to the question of state government for our territory. What Is territorial government and what is our position therein? We are nothing a child of the government, with yet our swaddling bonds about us. We are Ameri- can freemen without our rights We hold nothing, we are not represented, we have no voice, and our progress is hampered and retarded; we are not com plete citizens, and are not permitted to enjoy the rights of American freemen- laws are forced upon us, which are most objectionable without our power or voice to rescind We are used as a refuge for all the broken down politicians that the government does not know what to do with For nearly forty-fve years We have been a territory of the United States; our old timers have fought the Indians and improved the soil; our hardy miners with pick in one hand, and rifle in the other, have partially prospeeted this splendid territory. Mineral deposits of all kinds are in the bosom of our mountains, our valleys teem with milk and honey, our resources are vast, and yet the door IS locked to us. Foreign in vestments are looking our way and yet not one dollar since 1887, the passage of that outrageous and arbitrary Alien law has found it's way into this territory. What has that law done to our hardy and honored men of toil? What has it done to this country? It has denied Us the benefits of foreign capital to improve our condition, to give us a market for our hard earned properties. 1 do not know of one dollar having been invested with us by non residents of the United States, and millions of money has been kept from our enjoyment, and diverted in other directions, and to states where title and protection are allowed to the foreigner. 1 know of two men in our counties of Grant and Sierra who within the past year, had it not been for this obnoxious law, would have brought into these counties alone some $3,000,000; this of itself would have benefited the farmer, ranchman, artisan, banker, mer- chant, miner, and in fact every class of business. And we are to still be nice little school boy territory, we are to wait until some leader of political faction says vote for statehood and with empty pockets obey.
 I say no! Let the people of New Mex nonsense and demand their rights as a state, showing our older sisters that we have the same fire in our hearts as they, blldI NC nave III OuloC1NCS, III our resources, our men and our country; and let us with giant strides take our place in the statehood of that great and glorious republic United States of America.
 Of the many territories now states, take Colorado, once part of our territory, became state in 1876, and yet remem- Der well of having heard the remarks i've will be ruined, will move away at once" !" etc., etc. What was the result of their statehood move? Look at her to-day, just 15 years old, blushing and bright, richer by one thousand fold; her mines sought, her real estate of value, and her population one half million of enterpris- ing people, and foreign capital far into the millions IS getting good returns. Al so Idaho and Wyoming, their property value has increased three fold in two mouths. I give these facts to the think ing man and mind, one of which I am. l consider for our own good in the future that we should become a state. We have all that Is required to make us good one
 | do not discuss constitutions; I do not consider any political party; I give these as my opinions for the peoples good, and what I conscientiously consider best for them. I am a democrat and have been one for thirty years, but in issues like this, l use my own judgment, and give it for what if Is worth