Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1901-04-24
AN EXHIBITION OF SELFIsHNESs.

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 AN EXHIBITION OF SELFISHNESS.
 The extreme selfshness of portion of the citizens of Phenix is reflected in an article which appeared in the Phe- nix Enterprise last evening and which shows the most contemptible, narrow minded phase of unadulterated sel- fishness that it is possible to conceive of. The article in question is as fol- lows;
 "With due respect to the governor and those in charge of reception to the president, it seems a ridiculous idea to talk of taking the president and his party to the Congress mine which is 90 miles distant from Phenix. The citizens of Phenix and the city, possi- bly assisted by Maricops county, pro- vide the necessary funds with which to do proper honor to the chief execu- tive Of the nation. People from all over Arizona will be here to welcome our distinguished and illustrious guests. The stay in this city will be exceedingly short at best. Our peo- pie all want to see the president. No doubt the president wants to see the people, the city and the surrounding resources. A favorable impression of the fertility of the valley together with glimpse of orange groves on the border of barren lands adiucent, that need only water to make such land equally productive, will make an indelible impression on the minds of our honored guests and it might prove a giant stride toward proper legisla- tion that seeks to reclaim the arid lands. Let the president see the fer tile fields of waving grain and bloom ing alfalfa, the herds of cattle and the orchards laden with fruits. Let him see the vast expanse of land that can be brought under cultivation only by aid of the general government. Of course the committee in discussing the advisability of going to Congress mine has nothing selfish in view; vet, as it is only few weeks since that valua- ble mine was placed on the market and the governor is quoted by his own newspaper as having made $780, oOO out of the deal, it might give the president a wrong impression. He might very properly think that he and his party were being used for commercial purposes, which would of course be very distasteful to the pres ident. He is on a tour of recreation. observation and inspection, not seek ing speculation. Besides it would re- quire at least seven hours to make the run to Congress and return, and there is little to see without going down into the mine. Economy on time simply makes such a trip out of the question, Besides, to the president and to the average person not miner, a mine is simply hole in the ground, that from some point in the depths, produces precious metals. More can be learned from half column article written by one who knows, or by if | teen minutes conversation with E. B. 1 Gage relative to the mine. than the 1 president could see in week, crawl ing through the tunnels, drifts and | stopes of the big mine"
 The Journal-Miner is glad to note that the above expression of opinion does not meet with favor from the more progressive, liberal minded citi- zens of the Salt river valley, and it is equally sorry to note that it does ex- press the feeling and sentiments of a very small percentage of the people there, who have taught themselves to believe that Arizona contains nothing of value or interest but the pumpkin fields and alfalfa fields of that valley.
 With ali due allowance for the i'm portance of the agricultural resources of the Salt river valley, it must ever be remembered that the great source of Arizona's wealth is its mines. Were 1t not for its mines the alfalfa and pumpkins and fruit, and all the other wonderful products of the Salt river valley, and they are really wonderful, would amount to nothing, as there would be no market for them. To a party Of eastern men, not accustomed { to mines, nothing could be more in ( teresting than a well equipped mine, l with its varied machinery, and it is i; safe to say that the presidential party ( will find nothing on their trip more E to them than their visit to the Congress mine.
 Nothing could give them a better i idea of the wonderful re- f sources of the territory than by visit t to it and view of the surrounding mountains, which are yielding up t their golden treasures in response to s human energy; the return ride, partly t over barren waste, into the culti- S Tated portion of the valley with its ' beautiful green fields with their treas I Ires of fruit, grain and growing alfalfa. c
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