Arizona republican., 1895-03-03
No Hope of Statehood at
 This Session.
The Probability of Admission
 by the Next Congress.
A Prevalence of Opinion in Favor of the Territories Among
 the Senators.

Col. and Mrs. Thos. Fitch returned yesterday morning from a four weeks trip embracing the two principal points of New Orleans and Washington. Both have been physically benefited by the journey but rather wish that the eccentricities of the weather in the east during the last month had been somewhat modified.
 Concerning the journey and it's ob- iects, Col. Fitch said last night:
 ''The occasion of my visit east was not to promote or retsrd the interests of Governor Hughes. l have not suf- fcient interest in the affairs of the governor to make "trip to Maricopa. That's a Democratic quarrel. I will also say that Senator Voorhees, is not a cousin of mine. I had slight ac- uuaintance with hlm about twenty years ago and have not seen him since, so he has probably forgotten all about it.
 "I went solely on account of the health of Mrs. Fitch, tor whom a warm, moist atmosphere was recom- mended. When we got to New Or leans we found the thermometer below the freezing point and the hotels in- adequately warmed. We were about to start for southern Florida when we learned that winter was prevailing there. The signal service was promis ing rising temperature at Washing ton, so we proceeded eastward. After we arrived there Mrs. Fitch obtained the much sought for warmth and moisture by covering over a steam heater.
 'We remained there week, during which time 1 naturally investigated the statehood situation. l found we were not in it and had not been since the beginning of the present session. Delegate Joseph, of New Mexico, said that admission was prevented by the Republicans. Delegate Smith of Ari- zona, said the Democrats were to blame. He didn't exactly say that the Democrats resented the failure of the territory to return him to congress. but that could easily be inferred from his conversation.
 1T found as matter of fact that there were fourteen votes in the senate against admission and sixty in favor of it. The bill was on the preferred calendar and could have been called up at any time and passed if the Democratic steering committee had so decreed. The steer ing committee by the way is controlled by Senator German who is one of the fourteen members opposed to admission, for what reason do not know, unless it is the eastern prejudice against the creation of any more "wild and wooly" senators who will be unlikely to accept Wall street dictation. It is understood that Cleveland would not veto the ad- mission bill.
 ''I am of opinion that if Arizona had had at the beginning of the present session one or two strong influential Republicans to urge her claims on the Repu blican side of the house an en- abling act might have been passed, though there was never I think any proba bility of her admission under the present constitution. I tried to do 8 little missionary work with the mem bers of the next house of Representatives. The senate will be all right and I think the house will be.
 "Tom Reed will be the speaker not withstanding his attitude on the gold bond question. Aside from his sharing prevailing New England financial views, he is broad man favorable to western interests and I think will favor the admission of the territories. The power of the speaker of the house is very great and he can almost control legislation, to the extent at least of stopping legislation to which he is opposed. A good deal will depend in my opinion on the action of New Mexico and Arizona legislatures with respect to financial legislation. Any thing that looks like repudiat1on or failure to provide for the payment of it's obligations would be fatal to statehood. Congress regards quality more than the quantity of population of proposed states. I think an omnibus bill will be reported next winter for the admission of Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
 After staying week in Washington I resisted the temptation to visit New York, but returned to New Orleans, where we staid to take in mardi Gras. The weather had moderated to some extent last week and Mrs. Fitch was able to leave the fireplace, though neither of us have been comfortably warm since we started until this morn. h.. II o,olooly VI, hon frnnn an opao