The herald., 1897-12-13
Abandonment Has Been
Recommended
ARIZONA STRONGLY PROTESTS
AGAINST THE FUNDING OF A
FLOATING DEBT
An Ex-Governor in Especial Good
Luck. Another Victim Of Libel
Laws

Luck. Another Victim Of Libel
PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 10.-Perhaps
Angelenos yet remember, with degree
Of bitterness, the removal from their
city Of the headquarters of the military
department Of Arizona, later merged
into the department of the Colorado
with headquarters at Denver. The
same removal had been experienced at
Prescott year or so before. But Whip
pie barracks were left to Prescott. and
the loss of headquarters was assuaged
to degree by the transfer to Whipple OF
another company or so Of infantry.
But now the program Of the war de-
partment is the total abandonment OF
the post. 1t is cited (and 1t is the veriest
of facts) that the buildings at the post
are in the worst possible state OF disre-
pair and that to further maintain 1t as
a garrison a hundred thousand or more
dollars would need to be at once ex-
pended. The allegation is also made at
military headquarters that there no
longer exists any need for troops In
Northern Arizona. 1t appears that the
soldiers are more needed near the larga
cities Of the Union-to participate in
Fourth Of July parades and to quell riots
among the starving. it is to be presumed,
as we'll as to allow the officers the ad-
vantages Of society better sand-papered
than that of the west. But, whatever
the cause, the order for removal is pend
ing. and nothing short Of good, strong
political pull will turn 1t.
A MODEL MILITARY POST
All of this grieves to his hearts core
the average citizen of Prescott. Pres
colt without Whipple would be as meat
unsalted. The establishment Of post
and town was simultaneous, contempo-
raneous. When Arizona's first governor
established himself in permanent quart
ers in 1853, 1t was In a hastily-reared log
cabin, midway betwixt a little mining
settlement, called Gimlettown. and the
white tents Of several companies Of cav
airy camped on the Granite creek fiat
below. Around the old log cabin has
arisen one Of the most beautiful, most
locally loyal towns in the west, while the
tents on the fiat were soon struck. on the
erection OF buildings Of what was for
a score Of years the model post of the
military establishment. There was no
threat Of abandonment when Whipple
lay far of from all railway communica-
ed $50 miles from the railway station
of Marioopa. Yet long before that time
the Apaches had been cleared out Of
Northern Arizona. It therefore appears
the queerer that the post should be slated
for abandonment now that one Of the
finest railroads In the west, the Santa
Fe, Prescott and Phoenix. runs through
its reservation, giving facilities for
quickly reaching any part of Arizona.
Ten hours railway run would land Whip.
pie troops on the border Of Mexico.
Whipple, indeed, Is the only post In the
southwest that does not require miles Of
wagon transportation to it's railroad sta
ton.
The order for removal Is being vigor-
ously fought by Governor McCord and
by the citizens Of Prescott, headed by
Frank NJ. Murphy. In their efforts they
have the most sincere good wishes of
residents of the territory generally. The
main adversary they will meet at Wash
ington will be the commanding officer Of
the army, General Miles himself, who is
understood to cherish active animosity
for Prescott. a grudge that had It's birth
at the time when Prescott mourned his
assumption Of the command Of the de-
partment of Arizona in the place OF the
beloved General Crook.
PAYING PUBLIC DEBT
Another thing the territorial officials
have been interesting themselves in for
the past week has been the funding into
3 per cents Of the territory's floating in
debtedness, which floats merrily on an
interest charge Of 10 per cent. 1t now
amounts to about s26S, 600. and for that
sum the territorial bonds will be handed
over to Chicago capitalists as soon as n
new issue of bonds can be printed and
signed. The loan commission of Ari-
zona has already on hand bonds for
about that amount, sealed and signed,
but by officials Of several years ago, but
these will not do. Its q lamentable
fact" observed Attorney General Fra
zier, that administrations in Arizona
lasted long enough to perfect a single
issue Of bonds" The attorney-general
believes the old issue good, but there is
no doubt that the bidders will have
things their own way.
1t Is expected that this new issue Of
bonds will clean up the territorial in
debtedness and allow a new start with
a clean balance sheet and on a cash
basis, for the first time in many years.
Then the next thing will be to so ar
range that the regular territorial deficit
of 200 or so per annum shall also be a
thing Of the past. The territory, from
it's proportion of the county taxes, now
has an income Of about $240. 900 per an
nun. The main charge against the ter
ritorial revenues Is interest which now
considerably passes the mark Of $50, 900
a year, the territorial prison coming a
close second.
WOLFLEY GETS A PLUM
All this bonding is done through ex-
press permission of congress, given in
what Is generally termed the Wolfley
act, Wolfiey having been governor at
the time the act was passed and having
taken an active part in working the
measure through congress. Governor
Wolney thereafter, in the legislature Of
three years ago, secured the passage of
a bill granting him the sum of $4,000, with
interest, as restitution for expense dis
bursements made by him in his congress
sional lobbying. The territorial auditors
of the past several years have refused to
issue the warrant as commanded. An
agreement was reached between the
present board Of control and John A.
I2lo oL of Tr1ccop tho holder Of tho cIo In,