Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1894-05-02
sTArRHooDANDP DPHRNlx POIIrIcs.

 1 Phenix politics seem to be con siderably mixed mp. The democrats are making their campaign solely on the grounds of statehood, and they have appealed to republican voters Co support the democratic ticket on account of the adyant age 1t will be to statehood. Mark Smith, who represents Arizona in Congress, has written a letter on the subject, which represents the character of the democratic party, as represented in the legislative halls of Congress. He shows conclusiyely what has been charged. that the party's only thought in matters of legislation, is that of political advantage and not of public interest. When the four territories of the north applied for admission a few years ago, when the democrats had a majority in the lower house of Congress, their az  peal was not needed on aecouut of the fear of the partisan advantage 1t might give to the republicans. Mr. smith now intimates that the question of Arizona's admission de- ponds upon the result of the Phenix city election, and his letter has been published for the purpose of iniiu- encing votes in favor of the demo cratic ticket. Did snY one ever hear of democratic leaders advocating democrats to support the republi- can ticket in the interest of state hood, or anything elsei Republi- cans who are deceived by such polit- cal chaH as this are certainly sery weak minded. Mir. Smiths letter was addressed to M. E. Collins and reads as follows;
 h reply 10 your question as to the condition of the bill for the ad- mission of Arizona, will state that l have the promise of a majority of the senate committee on territories that the bull will be reported early in May, and if nothing transpires to mar the present conditions l feel hopeful of it's speedy passage.
 Friend Collins, there is one ques- tion in connection with this state hood matter that I wish you to in vestigate and write me the particu- lars. In conversation with q lead ing democrat last Friday, l was surprised beyond measure to learn that some parties in Arizona, demo erats, he informed me, had filed a statement here in Washington setting forth the facts that Arizona was overwhelmingly republican, and asking the senate committee to postpone any action looking toward our admission until after the munic- ipal elections in Arizona, and great stress was laid on the approaching Phenix election and states that Ari- zona's capital city is sure to go overwhelmingly republican. Now, know you are a republican in pril- eiple, but an honorable man, that places Arizona's welfare before po- litical victories, and I want you to tell me truthfuily what you think ! of these assertions. l am heart and soul in favor of statehoou, yet, as m honorable man, 1 cannot mis- lead reputable democratic sena tors by assuring them that Arizona is democratic. and about the time the bill comes before the senate. to I have come sweeping over the wires of the country that the leading city | of Arizons-its eapital-has given a sweeping republican victory.
 T have written a similar letter to Frank Cox, who should be we'll posted on the politics of Phenix, and ask for speedy but reliable reply.
 Give my regards to my Phenix friends and tell them to fight state hoods battle first and politics after"