Arizona silver belt., 1892-11-05
rnE nKLr's POSITION

The Globe SILVER BEL1, a Demo cratic paper, and the Tucson Enter prise, an independent paper, were both opposed to our constitution, and are now opposed to statehood, and both of them are battling for the election of w. G. Stewart. Oh, no; our Coconino friend is not opposed to statehood.- Gazette.
 Wonder where the Gazette got hold of the idea that the BELT IS 6 Demo cratic paper? Almost fifteen years ago when the senior editor decided to come to Globe, from Silver City, N. M., to start newspaper, at the solicitation of citizens of this town, it was with the express understanding that the BELT would be non partizan, and our letter so declaring was posted on the front of John Hise's store on Broad street, Globe. After our promise was given we received a proposition from Mir. Fully, and others, to start Dem ocratic paper in Tucson, but notwith- standing the inducements offered we considered our promise to the people of Globe as paramount, and we have fulfilled it with as much fidelity as our imperfect discernment would admit.
 Our energies have been devoted to the advancement of the material inter ests of Globe and Gila county, leaving political parties to fight their own bat ties and relying on the intelligence of voters to wisely discriminate as be- tween candidates, and the fact that the affairs of Gila county have been better managed than any other county in Arizona shows that our confidence in the integrity of her citizens was not misplaced.
 Our opposition to statehood needs no defense, During the discussion of the question prior to the adoption of the constitution our views were fully stated, and our arguments against Arizona embracing statehood were never successfully refuted. We were not blind to the advantages of SOW ereignty when a Territory has the re- sources and population necessary to support State government with dignity and profit but mindful of Arizona's financial embarrassment with an indebtedness last year of more than three and quarter millions and taxable property of but S2s, 05O, 234 "A we could not look upon the statehood movement with any degree of favor.
 We have proof of the correctness of our judgment in the report of Cover nor Murphy to the Secretary of the Interior, for 1892, which shows that the total indebtedness (Territorial, county and municipal has increased to s. 354, 725.sf, while the total valuation of taxable property in Arizona has de- creased to S27, ,923, 162.55.
 But this apparent depreciation of the Territory's financial standing by no means shows the actual depression which has taken place in the lead ing industries in this Territory--live- stock and mining. The average as- sessed valuation of cattle, according to the Governors report, is S7.s2 per head; of horses, $23. 93; of mules, S29.77; of sheep, S2. The total number of ami mals above mentioned, is 1, ,07s, ,97S, and their valuation s7,025, s7S, ,46. This is more than 25 per cent of the taxable wealth of Arizona. Now what are the real facts? Has not livestock of all kinds depreciated greatly in value? Have not cattle appreciated fully 50 per cent? Have not horses, mules and sheep declined heavily?-say 33I per cent. Therefore, the actual value of cattle assessed in Arizona is but g, ,519,- 1o3, and of horses, mules and sheep, 1924, ,510.9s, and the total valuation dftaxable property in the Territory, with this revision is only S24, 7n ,sO4. O7!
 Again, it is conceded that the losses of cattle and other livestock the com ing winter will be very great and many thousand head are being driven out of the Territory, thereby making certain a further material decrease in taxable property next year.
 What is the condition of the mining industry in Arizona as elsewhere throughout the West? Silver mining prostrated, copper on the ragged edge. Abandoned claims, and idle mills and smelters It is for these reasons we oppose statehood.
 As for the charge that we are ''bat- ting for the election of w. c. Stewart it is false. We have advocated no mans election. The people of Arizona are competent to decide for themselves which is the better man, Mark Smith or ". G. Stewart, to represent them in Washington. As far as our obser- yation goes voters are taking lively interest in the contest and are not to be coerccd by a partisan press.
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 Miehigan's Cooper country'' is