Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-04-11
EERBkar RRowN, Ka..ess
STATEHOOD FOR ARIZONA AND
NEW MEXICO.

The house committee on territories
having concluded TO report the enabling
acts for New Mexico and Arizona to the
house FOR its action there is a possible
chance that the bills may pass this ses-
sion. They certainly should il justice
figures IN the matter at all. The only
objection to admission seems to be that
they will strengthen the west in the SEN
ate. That is true, but that is no argu-
ment against admission. The whole sys-
tenn of territorial government is illogical
in this country, because it is case OF
taxation without representation, and
therefore violation of the very princi-
pies upon which this republic was
founded
A great deal is being written and said
about the Acknowledgement OF women,
but up to six years ago over million
Americans, covering territory as large
as Europe, were deprived OF the right
of representation; and now since the six
new states have been admitted, while
the number is less is still is not far from
the half-million mark.
In the very heart and source OF the
federal government, the District of Co.
lumbia, the people are disfranchised,
illogicol as il may seem, and are not
even allowed to choose their municipal
and local officers. Delegates to the pa-
tional conventions are the sole places res
idents of the district can aspire to hold
through the suffrages of their fellow
Washingtonians. The eastern news
papers of course will yell loudly and
long about western pocket boroughs.
forgetting that Tammany has carried
New York in its breechee pocket for
years; that Brooklyn has been no better,
and that an honest election in many
parts of the east is rarity.
Another fact that should not be over
looked by congress and eastern cities is
that the proposed new states of New
Mexico and Arizona have almost COM
plete Americen-born population. In
both of them together there are but
35, 900 foreigners by birth out of popu-
lation of a quarter of million, whereas
in New York state one third of the popu-
iation is foreign born, and in the city
onefourth have not even been natural
lied. liz Massachusetts more than third
of the population is foreign born; in
Roce Island the foreigners form nearly
one half, and In Illinois nearly one-third
of the population. New Mexico today
has larger native population than Del
aware, and both OF the territories have
a true and loyal populations to the flag
as any state in the Union. Why, then,
should they be denied representation?
Because they favor an American rather |
than the English monetary system? Be- |
cause they think this country Is great
and powerful enough TO manage its own |
financial affairs? Apparently that is the |
the only objection.
The bill that il is proposed TO pass this |
congress provides that the territorial |
governor shall Issue q call for the cleo |
tion OF delegates TO a constitutional con-
vention thirty days after the passage of
the act, in which call be shall also des-
ignate the dsy of election. The dele
gates are to meet at the seat of govern
ment on the second Monday after their
election, The constitution is to be SUBJ
United to the voters OF the territory for
ratification or rejection on the Tuesday
after the fret Monday Of November,
1896, when 81 election for state officers
and representative in congress is also
70 take place.
We trust the bill will pass, and as the
new states would have no voice in this
years presidential contest, and their
senators would only reach Washington
a few weeks before this congress ad-
lourns, perhaps they will be admitted;
certainly the congressman and senators
from California Will do all they can to
add their stars to the national fiag.-L.
A. Express.