The Tucson citizen., 1902-04-02
DELEGATE SMITHS WORK.

The omnibus bill providing for the
admission of Arizona. New Mexico and
Oklahoma to the Union as States was
geported to the House OF Representa-
s}ves yesterday by the chairman of the
committee on Territories, who an
nounced at the same time, that he
would call the measure up for con-
sideration at an early day.
1t seems to be conceded that this
measure will pass the House, and that
Fhe chief obstacles to final triumph will
be encountered in the Senate For the
favorable position of the bill in the
House of Representatives. the people
of the Territories are largely indebted
10 the persistent efforts, sound judg-
rnent and wide influence OF Delegate
Smith OF Arizona. The achievement of
Statehood is the chief ambition OF
Arizona, and the promotion OF that OBJ
.iect the paramount duty Of Arizonas s
delegate to Congress. How we'll Mr..
smith has performed his duty can be
seen by the measure now on the
Speakers desk backed by the unanin-
nscos report of the committee on Ter
ritories.
But while Mr.. Smith is exerting ev-
cry effort to achieve the political
promotion of Arizona, the moss
packs and knockers and political
cadavars at home are doing their lit
tie best to undermine him The Ari-
IONA Star of this morning records on
sts first page the presentation in the
House of the Statehood bill by the
chairman of the committee on Terri
tories. and on its fourth page makes
This observation:
The fact OF Delegate Smith utter
failure to accomplish anything for
Arizona during this term of Congress.
is causing considerable com
xne.nt In the Territorial press. Delegate
Smiths record is not in the least dis
appointing to those who know him
and the manner in which he consumes
time in Washington. He cant help
himself. His haDlts are irrevocably fix
ed He has passed his days of political
usefulness. no matter how much he
might desire to be of service. The
fact that he allowed the surveyor
generals office to be removed from
Tucson without even warning the peo-
ole here of the scheme is only one IL
sustratiou of how oblivious he is to the
interest of his constituency.
There is hardly a ray OF truth in
any word or line of this. Mr. Smiths
wurk in Congress has been active and
effective, The paramount measure of
ahe session, that providing for State
. mood, is in a most favorable position.
Only few days ago the Board Of Re
gents of the University of Arizona
passed a series of resolutions thank
Sng Delegate Smith for his successful
efforts in behalf of measure of
great Importance to that institution.
Arizona has been we'll cared for in
she appropriation bills All minor leg
ysiation affecting the Territory has
DeeD we'll and intelligently provided
8or- Mr.. Smith informed the people OF
Tucson that the administration had
determined to remove the surveyor
Generals Office to Phoenix It was no
part of Mr.. Smiths duty to interfere
3n This matter in his official capacity.
The people of Phoenix are his consti-
&uents Just as much as the people of
Tpcson. Being a resident Of Tucson.
mis- personal desire was that the sur
%evor generals Office should be kept
IN his own town, but as the Delegate
0f Arizona in Congress it would be
highly improper for him to assume an
attitude of shrivelled lOcalism and be-
come a small partisan of one Arizona
fown against another But that Mr.
Smith kept the people of Tucson well
Informed regarding the intention Of
4he administration every intelligent
man in Tucson is aware.
But it is a waste of effort to at
fempt to reason with newspaper CON
frolled soley by ayarice, prejudice dis
appointment and hate. The editor of
the Star is not a journalist but sour
ed and disappointed politician
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