Arizona republican., 1899-11-03

we all pray, would not now be de-
MED US
The spirit of fairness, so prominent
in our national character, would not
longer permit Arizona to suffer the
wrongs of territorial vassalage. if the
territory and its people were properly
understood east of the Mississippi
Arizona has 100000 people and one
hundred millions of taxable wealth if
it We're all assessed.
Every argument and principle
which should in justice and right be
considered in connection with the ad-
mission of the territories rests simply
upon their ability to maintain them
selves as states, and the desire of a
majority of their people for self gov
eminent. No law precedent nor con-
structiOn of law can be found to the
contrary, and while no specific regula-
lions exist for the guidance of congress
in the admission of states, the law as
recognized by custom and precedent
has become fundamental part of our
national policy. that whenever the
people of a territory of this Union ex-
.
and can furnish satisfactory proof of
their competency in population and
wealth. it is not only their right to be
admitted to statehood, but it is clearly
the duty of congress to admit them.
This is conceded by all of the authori-
ties on constitutional law and prece-
dent. and any other view is repugnant
to the very inspiration and patriotism
Of the republic.
THE territory has greater wealth
and population than had a large ma
jority of the states when they were ad-
mitted its undeveloped resources are
almost incalculable, and the people
unanimously demand recognition of the
rights to which they are entitled under
the constitution. The territorial form
of government has existed in Arizona
for thirtyfve years. The Fifteenth
legislature of Arizona ten years ago
authorized a constitutional convention
and the election of delegates thereto,
an election was had, convention held,
and a constitution framed. which at a
subsequent election was ratified by the
people.
These proceedings cost the territory
100000, vet congress would not recog-
niZe our just claims. Bills passed the
house of representatives for the ad-
mission of Arizona during the Fifty
second and Fifty-third congresses and
were favOrably reported in the senate,
and both the senate and house of rep
resentatives of the Fifty-fourth con-
gress reported admission bills favor
ably, yet it has been impossible to OBJ
/ IA in he i11Gt 70 ifI,
are entitled.
Statehood has been denied to Ari-
IONA because of sectional prejudice ig-
norance, imaginary partisan policy and
pure seIfishness. The latter reason ex-
lists in the fact that our eastern breth-
rem are unwilling to divide legislative
representation in congress, they re-
fuse to grant to their brother Ameri-
cans of the west, who are their equals
in every respect, the same privileges
under the constitution which they en-
joy, and for which the founders of the
republic fought and bled."
In the section relating to irrigation
the interior department is informed
that under present conditions agricul-
tural development has nearly reached
its limit. In the Salt River valley the
acreage has already surpassed the vol
ume of water that can be obtained for
it from the natural flow of the river.
There must be water storage and it
seems to be available only with ma
tional assistance. On that subject the
arid west is agreed, but there is dis
agreement as to what form the assist
ance should assume. Some believe that
it should come through direct apprO-
priation, but the governor believes
that however desirable such assistance
would be, it can never come. He there
fore favOrs the cession of the arid lands
I to the territory unler such terms and
restrictions as would insure their
proper disposition. He impartially de-
scribes the various reservoir sites,
those which have been Investigated by
agents of the government and those
which have been located by private
corporations. pointing out the objects
sought to be accomplished by each.
Concerning the Tonic Basin project
he says:
This enterprise now under promo
ton by the Hudson Reservoir and
Canal company, and designed to regu-
late the supply and overcome the peri
odicaI shortage OF water IA he Salt
River valley, is the most comprehen-
/ sive storage project yet brought to pub
/ lie attention. AS an irrigation scheme
/ it is the most ambitious in scope and in
/ its results will undoubtedly be one OF
/ the most far reaching of all the indus
/ trial enterprises projected for the
western country. Under existing con
} ditions no other project can have sucf
an intimate bearing on the further de
velopment and future welfare of the
/ Salt River valley. Among all the ir-
/ rigation systems with which 1 am ac-
/ quainted, it is unique, in that its main
! purpose is to supply a country alread!
settled and ready for its service.
! Recently the reservoir company ha:
completed contracts with the leading