The Florence tribune., 1901-03-23
SIX TIMES A DELEGATE. Mark Smiths Return to Public Life in
 Washington.
From the Washington Post.l

laln's yesterday, with q stock ticker chirping at his left elbow, Marcus Aurelius Smith, of Tucson, Ariz., was launching out on new two years term as delegate in Congress from his Territory. The stock ticker was not absorbing his attention, for in front of him was big pile of letters. every one bearing postmark from the far Southwest. HO found this con venient place to examine them.
 A Kentuckian by birth, and long a eongenial spirit on the floor of the Ma tional House, Delegate Smith has seen colleagues from Territories come and go, many being promoted to be Repre- sentatives and Senators, as their con stituencies were welded into the union of States. His own political career has had hiatus of two years, since the Fifty-6fth Congress expired, and he now comes back as a Democrat, after defeating exGov. N. o. Murbhy, the most popular Republican in that region.
 "You are glad to be in the political harness again?''
 DILIGENT AT HIS PROFESSION.
 ''I don't know whethe am or not" responded Col. Smith, as he pulled sew eral letters, written on blue paper, out of their envelopes, and carefully laid one on top of another until there was thick pile. "For two years I have been diligently practicing law, giving but little attention to politics. But l am now proud to bear the title of being the delegate longest in the service of any Territory. am entering upon my sixth term, although it has not been continuous service.
 "Perhaps you know that practieed law in San Francisco in my younger days" continued Col. Smith, as he opened more letters aud rang for bell boy to bring him cigar. After grad uating with first honors from the law department of Kentucky University, l was elected as prosecuting attorney of the city of Lexington, at the expiration of which term I packed up and went west. I remained in San Francisco for for two years, and then, in 1881, start ed down into Arizona to hunt bear and deer. liked it so well then that de- cided to locate at Tombstone, and have been resident of the Territory ever since.
 ''I was nominated for Congress be- fore hardly knew it. Inprevious years the Territory had been Democratic but it had got RepublicaDl trend. I went to tue nominating convention for the Fiftieth Congress, being unknown outside the Tombstone district, where had served as prosecuting attorney. The convention ended in the selection of myself as the Democratic candidate aud was elected, coming to Washing ton in the middle of President Cleye- lands first administration"
 STATEHOOD AND IRRIGATICN.
 In the lexicon of the Arizona people there are two leading words: Estate hood" and "Irrigation." Statehood i first, particularly to the Delegate il Congress, for the Delegate who sue ceeds in getting such bill througl Congress will write Senator" in iron of his own name. "The platforms 0 both parties," said Mir. Smith, lar committed to this act of justice fo Arizona. have no doubt that m own party will keep it's word in tha regard. What the Republicans vii do cannot say.
 "All the provisions for irrigation C arid lands in the appropriation bill failed at the recent session, much | our regret. Arizona is, of cours deeply interested in such Legislation It would enable us to raise vast guan ities of semi-tropical products, sue as would not come in competition wit the products of eastern States. W do not want to raise wheat, corn ar oats by government irrigation, bV figs, oranges, dates, and fruit of thi character"
 Col. J. B. Breathitt, broad, ,shoul cred, stanchly-built resident of the Te ritory, shivering at being transplant' from hotter climate, entered as M Smith was talking. "Why, l tel graphed not to come," said the latte as they exchanged cordial greeting "but guess my telegram didn't req you" which proved to be true, althou neither seemed to regret the long ra road journey to Washington.
 LETTERS OF ARIZONA BANKERS.
 "There is lots of business for D egate from Arizona to attend to his people" said Mir. Smith, as he
 turned to the letters and divided
 attention in continuing the earlier et versation and in talking with the n comer. Here are lots of petitions a letters from bankers, who want
 know all about the details of the n
 A.. 4o-