Arizona republican., 1902-11-25
An Emergency.

On the 3rd of December-one week from tomorrow-the senate committee on territories will report. in some form, the omnibus statehood bill. One week thereafter-on the 1Oth-the measure will become the unfinished business by virtue of the unanimous agreement reached in the closing hours of the last session. and will remain before the senate until it is disposed of. A strong delegation, representing Arizona's in- terests, should be on the ground at the national capital at the earliest possible moment. Not day should be lost in periecting arrangements for proper representation, so that the interval be- tween the 3rd and 10th prox, may be utilized for the right kind of mission ary effort.
 The Washington dispatch concerning the status of the statehood question, printed in this paper yesterday, em- phasized a fact which was already clear: namely, that there will be wig orous opposition to the admission of Arizona and New Mexico. However, the outlook is really much brighter than the press dispatches indicate. The Republican is in receipt of private but altogether reliable information, that Arizona has powerful friends; that the chances favor success, and that the efforts Of these friends should be en- couraged and supplemented by repre- sentatives from the territory. In the quarters where it is most advisable to make good showing for this territory, an impression to our detriment will be formed if we make the mistake of relying upon Delegate Smith alone for the finishing work MT. Smith is popu- lar and influential, but he cannot do everything, and wrong inferences would be drawn should he appear upon the scene as the lone spokesman and advo- cate of Arizona. Most naturally his greatest influence is within his own party.
 The situation cannot be stated too emphatically. Arizona is on the eve of realizing the ambitions which have am mated her so many years-if no mis- take is made at this, the last moment The courage and enthusiasm which have led our citizens to make a hard and uphill fight should now prompt them to a special effort, since success is within reach.
 And after all, nothing of a difficult nature is required by the emergency to which we refer. It requires, merely, that there be immediate action along the lines of common sense and public spirit. Practically, the task is very simple. Let a good delegation be chosen-not necessarily a large delega- tion-and let there be some provision for at least a portion of the expenses which such delegation will have to in cur in making the trip to Washington and return. The territorial committee appointed at the statehood convention a year ago is in a position to act promptly for the whole territory now The executive officers of this committee should get into telegraphic communi- cation with the local committees in each county, at once. No enormous sum of money is needed, and in order that the expenses may fall upon all alike. the several boards of county su- pervisors should appropriate modest sums for the use of the delegation. The public spirited business men in Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson should not be called upon always to foot the bills for such work as is now required to be done.
 The Phoenix board of trade from the first has borne an important part in carrying on the statehood campaign, and the officers of that organization should meet today and take such steps as will assure a wise an influential representation of Arizona's claims at Washington next week.