Evening journal., 1896-12-12
ADMISSION OF ARIZONA.

a
The admission OF the territory OF
Arizona to statehood is, we think,
being agitated at rather an unfortunate
time. Neither the party in power nor
the one which will be in power on and
after the 4th of next March
is in favor Of the admission of new
states. particularly one 50 strongly OPP
posed TO the present money standard
as Arizona II Mr.. Bryan had been
elected the chances for the admission
of this territory as state would nave
been much better. Yet Governor
Franklin. of Arizona. in his annual re-
port TO the secretary Of the Interior
expresses the wish of the people that
the territory should be admitted to the
Union as a state.
This would no doubt be of advan- |
tageto thematerial interests OF Arizona,
and Il cannot be denied that the gov
ernor makes out very good case IN
favor OF admission. He shows that
during the year ending June 30, 1896, |
the mining output Of the territory ag-
gregated very nearly s14,O00,OOO, and
not only is this mining industry rap
idly increasing, but the raising of cat
tie and other agricultural industries
have assumedvery considerable proper
tions. For the eighteen months end
ing last June nearly six hundred thou
sand head OF cattle were shipped.
The above figures go to show the inn
mensity of the mining and agricultu-
raj resources of this comparatively
new territory and it is no wonder that
those who reside there desire a con-
stitution and government of their own.
Governed, as they are, by an act of
Congress, which is liable at any time
to be greatly changed or modified, the
industries of the territory can but suf-
fer. Then again, outside capitalists
are shy Of making investments in ter
ritories, the laws OF which are dictated
by Congress- All new territories suffer
from these causes until they arrive at
statehood, and naturally that is the
condition they need for prosperity.
All of them have given reasons
which were thought good for their ad-
mission to the Union, and without ex-
ception that admission has proved to
their advantage. It has allowed them
20 make their own laws elect their own
rulers and secure a home policy for
the benefit of their especial wants.
Were 1t a question then merely as to
what would be best for Arizona there
is little reason to doubt that she should
be admitted TO the Union, but there
are other considerations, in which the
interests of the whole country are in
volved. These are, unfortunately
tainted with politics, so that unless
Arizona can make friends with the
dominant party she cannot hope for
statehood.
In order to develop the territory
Arizona requires immense money re.
sources. Capital from outside is re
quired to make large areas of ariC
lands productive by the means of irri
cation, as well as to develop the mines
which are the chief resource of the
country. The Arizonian sees this re
quirement, but he is helpless withou
outside aid to develop the resources
which lay all around him, below a
well as above the earth. Money mus
be had. It cannot be secured iron
Congress, and his only hope lies in get
ting it from private parties who re
quire the security of a home govern
ment.
People of the older states do not al
preciate this condition of affairs, an
it will be difficult to make them do S
as long as politics control the situ'
tion in Washington. There may be
time when the good of the country
all its immensity, will rise above pa
tisanship, but that time has not "
come, and we fear the Arizonians wi
have some years to wait before the o.
portunity to develop their great r
sources will be granted to them.