The oasis., 1900-09-08
AS TO sTATEHOOD.
suggestion Submitted by Governor
 Murphy.


 .rizona. by enactment, authorized aD election to be held for delegates to a ,onstitutional convention. Delegates were elected, convention regularly hsld. and a constitution framed which was subsequently, submitted to a vote oftbe people at an election duly held tor the purpose, and adopted by q large majority. A bill passed the house of representatives for the ad- mission of Arizona as a state, predic- ated upon the constitution as framed aud adopted by the people of the ter rItory Objection was made in the senate to certain cla uses in the con- stitution and admission was refused by that body.
 "It Is evident that in order to be acceptable to the congress of the United States several changes are De- cessary in the constitution as adopt cd. In the main 1t is satisfactory. 1 suggest that as the enactment of d law for a new constitutional conven- ton will take a long time and involve considerable expense, the different county committees es-democratic and republcan--or, if preferred, the diff. ierent county conventions, each name one delegate to meet in convention at some suitable place in the early future; at which they shall either col actively proceed to revise the consti tuition formerly adopted, eliminating it's objecti ional features and make such additions as changed conditions re- quire, or appoint committee for the purpose. Or, if 1t seems more proper, let each territorial convention appoint scommittee of revision, which need not comprise too many members. Large bodies are unyielding and ten or dozen could probably render q bet ter service than large numosr
 The work of revision need rot take but a few days, ana the new cunstitu ton could be submitted to the people at the general election to be held in NOyemo per, and on their ballots they could vote for or against adoption. II adopted and acceptable ts congress, bill for administration could be very brief The expense of revision and printing for circulation, which would be slight, would have to be borne by patriotic citizens, at least temper arlly The expense originally in- cured in elections, conventions, etc., amounting to s30,000 will be reim. oursed by congress when the territory Is admitted, and no doubt all new ex penses will be provided for, and those who contribute now will not have 70 wait long to be repaid.
 The expense of submission to the people would be nothing, as it would lofln part of the general election. 1 believe much valuable time could be saved ln this way, and it would also enphasize our demands for self-gov- efnment. This suggestions are offer. tu TOT the consideration of the people.
 The contention that an enabling "c' must first be passed by congress s not we'll founded and there are several precedents for admission upon constitution adopted previous to congressional action. Ex. President ,malrisOn, when senator, said upon a 'eporC poiC upon the admission of Dakota: ,i,o me right of the people of ter n.orY or the United States to form a ,,oonstSl,t.ution and state government iiopuolcan iUto in form and be admitted sr;S sTyS Ihe union of states, is so self Sb,'ueht b. that 1t will not be questioned T s,o any enlightened citizen of any .IVaIe, providing the rennisite cnndi