The Florence tribune., 1901-05-04
ARlzoNAs MAKEUP.
A Paper Recently Read Before the Flor
 ence Twentieth Century Club.


 The geographical and political divi- sions of Arizona is subject which can hardly be considered mighty interest ing reading" to use the words of the lamented Horace Greedy, yet if any section of the country can be so con- sidered it certainly is our fair terri tory, with it's unlucky thirteen coun- ties. Organized out of New Mexico in February, 1863, it has borne the badge of territorial servitude for more than thirty-eight years, and for the past ten has been clamoriug for statehood, for which it is universally conceded we are fully fitted by virtue both of popu- lation and wealth. Its inhabitants num- Der l22, 900, which is considerably more than at least two states now in the un- ion, possess; and far more than dozen territories at the time of their admis- sion as states. Arizona's taxable wealth Is but $35, ,000,OO0 as shown by the as. sessment rolls of the different counties, yet this is but the merest moiety of the real wealth of the territory, with it's many tax exemptions, and where one mine alone-the United verde-has n actual value of one hundred millions. In area it is exceeded only by Califor- mia, New Mexico, Montana and Texas of all the political divisions of the Unit ed States. Statistics, which are usual ly dry things, show that last year Ari- zona produced more than four millions in copper, silver and gold, or nearly $400 for every man, woman and child in the territory. suppose you have all had your share. While this is neither geographical or political matter, it is ofinterest as showing what we are en- titled to.
 California, Arizona and New Mexico were acquired from Mexico as result of war by the treaty of Guadalupe- Hi- dalgo in lS4S, except that portion of Arizona lying south of the Gila, for which our Government paid Mexico ten millions of dollars in 1858. This was known as the Gadsden purchase, talk ing it's name from James Gadsden, who formulated the treaty on the part of the United States. Mr. Gadsden ori- giaal idea was supposed to have been the requirement of seaport on the Gulf of California, but this is a mistake he had his eye on Florence, resting peacefully and serenely on the south bals of the Gila, and when this beauti- ful spot was secured he felt that the money was well expended.
 Salt river people have accustomed to boast that their section has belonged to the United States for ten years long CT than ours of the Casa Grande valley which is true. but they forget that their lands were taken forcibly by the rude hand of war from weak nation. while ours were bought and paid for. Just the difference between dishonesty and honesty.
 Back in the dim ages of the past the fame of Florence had reached the old world. Ponce de Leon sought the foun tain of youth not in Florida, but ir Arizona, and it was here n Florence that Cabeza de Vaea found it in 1854 This was more than a quarter of g century before the foundations of San Augustine were laid, and ten years be- fore DeSoto discovered the Mississippi state this on the authority of Messr. Brown and Thurston, reputable citizens of our town, who were residing here al the time. They were also here in 154O when Coronado's expedition passed through our valley in search of thu seven cities of Cibola, one of whicl was determined to be Florence. Mir Browns relation of an interview h. had with Coronado reads like roman ce, and were it not vouched for b history, would be doubted by some.
 Arizona is bounded on the north b, Utah, on the south by Mexico, on tn east by New Mexico and on the wes by California and Nevada, which sin cerely hope no one will discredit.