Arizona weekly citizen., 1894-08-25
STATEHOOD FOR ARIZONA.


 STATEHOOD FOR ARIZONA.
 We have all along maintained that the leading democrats were fighting the admission of Arizona, not openly but covertley. Of this fact we are the more convinced as each day goes by. It was generally understood that when the bill admitting Arizona was reported by the senate committed, it would be in the shape of an enabling act, in like manner to that of Utah and New Mexico, but to the surprise of everyone outside Of the committee, the bill was reported back with the old constitution as adopt ed three years ago. We have it on the assurances of several leading senators that it was known to the committee that the bill in such condition could not pass, and that if the admission of Arizona was honestly sought it was the heighth of foolishnesss to report the bill under the old constitution, which was declared so faulty that many amend ments were necessary before it could meet the approval of the senate. But notwithstanding that Chairman Faulk- ner was so advised he refused to change the tenure of the bill and thus meet the approval of the senate as the appended letters will show. The democrats were forewarned as to the fate of the bill under the conditions named, but by the consent and with the advice of Mark Smith and other leading democrats in this territory ry-administation and anti administration-the bill was reported back under the old constitution and statehood for Arizona has gone glimmer- ing so far as the present session is con- cerned. Upon thls issue the democrats expect to make their campaign in in Arizona and will howl about the neces- sity of voting the democratic ticket as guerdon of good faith that Arizona is and will continue to be democratic They will tell you over every saloon bar in the territory that all hopes of admis- sion lies through democratic majoritles and that unless democratic delegate is elected the people of Arizona must con- tinue in territorial vassalage. They will tell further that the republicans are opposing the admission of Arizona because forthsooth she seeks to enter under the old constitution, but will not tell that all of this could have been avoided by an enabling act like unto that of Utah and New Mexico.
 For our part we are willing to go ln under anything and trust later to correct the evils complained of in the constitu- tion, but as the senate cannot be brought to this way of thinking and we now feel assured that the shortest way to statehood lies through an enabling act which nothing but the rasoally stupidity of the territorial democracy refuse to concede.
 We append herewith the letters re- ferred to, emitting the names of the writers, whose consent to publication of their names has not been obtained. UNITED STATES SENATE,
 Washington, D. c. Aug. 6, 1894. My dear:
 While it is not in good taste for me to say much about these things, I will state that neither Utah, Arizona or New Mexico would have been reported this sesslon of congress had it not been for the republicans. The getting of the bills out of the committee was a compromise; it was not the intention of the democrats to pass the Utah bill or any other bills for the ad- mission of these territories. The demo- crats say New Mexico and Arizona can not be taken up this session of congress. It is understood, however, that Arizona is to be taken up before New Mexico. that the democrats have absolute control of the business of the senate. There will in all probability be a fight for Arizona when 1t comes up, on account of the constitution. Delegate Smith insists that Senator Faulkner should report the bill with the old constitution, but notice was given to Faulkner that if it was so prevented there would be fight against its admission.
 Very truly yours,