Arizona silver belt., 1897-08-05
THE GOVERNORS RECEPTION.


 big reception at the capital last Thursday night, which no doubt was gratifying to him, although we give him the credit of being too shrewd politician to accept the demonstration as the spontaneous and unalloyed ex- pression of joy by the people over his induction into office as chief executive of the territory.
 There were no doubt those among the demonstrative and perspiring throng who were sincere in their pro- fession of qualification at his elevation, but then there were others, and those "others' formed very considerable, if not respectable, portion of the crowd. First snd foremost was the effusive and irrepressible office seeker whose homage of today will be turned into resentment and denuncistion tomorrow should his hope of securing office not bo realized; second, the slimy, slippery gentleman of the governors own party who, foiled in his effort to defeat Me Cords confirmation, as the governor himself says ''by islander, falsehood and vituperation," now seeks to curry favor with the governor, and loudly proclaims his allegiance, and finally that large and motly mob who revel in public demonstrations with no other purpose than to extract what sensual pleasure the occasion offers.
 Then, too, the reception did not differ essentially from the welcome &C., corded Governor Franklin and several of his predecessors, There was the blare of wind instruments, the explo- sion of rockets, the exclamation of the multitude and the parade of the goyer- nor's staff, Arizons's parlor knights, commanded by the redoutable Major R. Allyn Lewis. Then followed the conventional speeches and hand shak- ing. At the conclusion of the gover- nor's speech there was, We are told, a wild outburst of applause, which of course was to be expected, perfunct- ory performance, "all in the play"
 We refuse to become enthusiastic because we see in the address little tC commend. We must disagree with Governor McCord when he says that statehood is ''the paramount need oi Arizona" To the office seeking horde it probably is, but not to the property owning and tax paying class who would have to pay for this expensive luxury, and pay dearly for it, too. There would then be no Harrison act to in- terpose to check the rapacity of cor rupt legislation.
 However, statehood is a hobgoblin which has lost most of its terrors since ii is recognized as very remote pos ibility, but the governors second predicate, namely, that i've should set our faces like fints against every act that in the slightest degree hints or squints towards repudiation, is more insidious and dangerous. Better had he said, i've should set our faces against wasteful legislation, such as has created debts which can not be hon. estly claimed as legal obligations against the territory" The gov ernors words have an unpleasant sound, not that the people of Arizona favor the repudiation of any just debt, but Mir. McCord's utterance recalls the charge made against him during the gubernatorial contest, that he was the candidate of the bondholders of the defuuct Ash Fork < Prescott, and Tue. son, Globe X Northern railroads, which bonds have been declared illegal and void by the courts of Arizona, and by the supreme court of the United States. If there is any such hidden meaning in Governor McCord's words the people should know it. Capita honestly invested to develop our re sources is greatly to be desired, but the confidence of confidence men, shy locks looking for snaps, should bs sternly rejected.
 We, too, have entertained the beliel that Arizona has great future, but that hope will not be realized until radical reforms have been introduced into the administrative and legislative branches of the territorial government, and the welfare of the whole people is recognized as paramount to the selfish interests of speculators and office holders.
 Delegate Marcus A. Smith, who is supposed to represent the entire terri tory, has introduced bill in congress tr Iaoa1,,o tho aokf ~f tbo 1okh l,.;o1..