Cochise review., 1901-01-19

Mr. Wilson. Wyoming at the time of her admission had taxable property to the amount of $13,000,00 This is the showing which these territories made when admitted as states. We come here today with population ex- ceeding theirs, and population ex- ceeding Wyoming and but little less than that of Delaware and with in ternal wealth exceeding them all. We come with more taxable property, and not only that, but we come with an in- telligent, loyal American population.
 Ninety-tive per cent of our adult population do their own reading and writing in the transaction of their business affairs, Not only is that true, but we have a school system that is eX- celled by no state in the Union, from the frozen regions of the north to the Mexican line. One hundred and thir- teen thousand dollars is paid for the schooling of 10000 children every year. We have two normal schools, high schools, graded schools, and common school system which compels the edu- cation of children six months in the year.
 Not only is that true, but we have a code of criminal law-society's pro- tectOr, because in that way only is so- ciety protected-eXcelled by none. So- ciety is protected only in proportion as the criminal law is enforced.
 In Arizona there is not single crime on the list named in the crimi- nal calender in any state not named in that territory's criminal code, and the violation of which is always punished by the proper penalties as surely and as often as in any state in the Union.
 Then there is a disposition to fair ness at the polls, which does not exist to a greater extent in any part of New England, the northwest, the South, the north. There is not an election law in any state in the Union today that is equal to ours in protecting the purity of the ballot. We have an election law which cannot be evaded. The re- suit is that our elections are fair; the majority speaks; the public takes off its hat to it. There are, however, no disputer and no contests.
 These are some of the reasons why we should be admitted to statehood. They appeal to the Americanism of Congress, which is sovereign in this matter, and appeal to it more strongly than any of the states from Maine to California have been able to on sovereign right and business quail fications purely. Our people are as loyal set of Americans as ever lived. You remember when we went to war with Spain. Arizona was assigned her quota of troops, and she was the first to fill it. She was the first in the field and the first in action.
 The history of the Rough Riders, whom Roosefelt carried into the Spanish war, is fresh in ever mind, and in that Arizona was conspicuous in carrying out it's leading part, and when the country next needs the services of her people in war, or on her cOuntry's demand in any great cause, the people of Arizona will be the first to respond to her country's call to maintain the flag and the national honor. We want to be admitted as matter of fairness and as matter of sovereign right, so revered by American manhood. Both political parties said in their platform this year that they would admit us. One of them said "We will admit you immediately" That was the Demo- cratic party, but it failed in the election.
 The Republican party, whose boast is that it never breaks pledge or viO- lates a promise, said: we will do it early; vour admission will be early" That was it's platform pledge to the territory and the country. That did not mean to refer the question to some future Congress. It assuredly meant (fOr the promise was made in the mid dle of Congress) that an early admis- sion should be awarded during the present living Congress and not passed over to some future Congress for set clement.
 1 thank the committee for the cour- tesy, and l appeal to the committee to favorably report back the bill to the Senate and to have favorble action taken upon it early in the present session.
 Senator Dillingham;. What is your water supply for purposes of irriga- tiOn?
 Mr. Wilson. About 10000 inches in the Salt River Valley.
 Senator Dillingham;. Generally speaking, what is the water provision?
 Mr. Wilson. That has to be done by impounding the water and carrying it on the lands by means of canals. ditches, etc.
 Senator Dillingham;. Of what nationality is your population?
 Governor Murphy. American.
 Mr. Wilson More than 90 per cent purely American.
 Senator Dillingham;. Are any of them from the east?
 Mr. Wilson. Yes; and the people are going there from the east all the time.
 Governor Murphy. Senator Platt of Connecticut, who presided over this committee and continually opposed