The Tucson citizen., 1902-02-13
7Ht QUESTION OF STATEHOOD.

aisnatch from Washington mt
Rates that the II Juse committee q"
., .rritories will report favorab'y on the
.ist of this month on the bllls ADMIT
.n, Arizona New Mexico and OKLA
boma TO Statehood, This action on the
mart of the committee is not uneX-
pccted. and it would not be surprising
# the House should second the action
oi the committee and pass the bills.
It should'not be forgotten that the
Hon. Marcus A. Smith of Arizona, IL
a member of the Committee ON Terri
tories, and also that he Is ore OF the
most experienced parliamontarians,
and one of the most widely acquainted
and popular men in the House. This
counts for much. The personal in
Auencr OF Mr. Smith might be set DOWN
ae sufficient to get a favorable report
from the committee, and his long ac-
uuaintance and intimate relations with
the leading men of the House of both
parties will be OF incalculablc benefit
when the measures come up for con-
sideration, Arizona is we'll and wisely
represented in the House of Repr-
esentatives as far as the constitution
al prerogatives OF Delegate can go.
and any one familiar with the manner
of legislation at Washington will know
that personal influence goes far in eff
iecting results.
1t is much to be feared that the dis
position of the majority IN Congress
ig opposed to Statehood Tor the Ter
ritories, or il not opposed, controlled
by indifference. In a situation of this
kind it Is we'll that Arizona should *
represented by a statesman OF expert
cnce and ability. who Is also possessed
OF those personal qualities that car
win the wavering or blunt the edge
OF opposition. Mr.. Smith fills fully thu
measure of expectation and IL th'
Statehood bill passes the House it car
fairly be attributed to mis- prudence
ability and influence.
The recognition OF Arizona's right
to Statehood by the popular branch OF
on the action of the Senate. But the
attitude of corporations doing business
IN Arizona, and party exigencies, will
have more influence with the Senate
than the right and justice OF the mea-
sure or the Endorsement Of the House
OF Representatives This should be
thoroughly understood in order to have
an intelligent grasp on events OF the
future. The Democrats of the Senate
like their brethren in the House, are
IN favor of Statehood. The Republican
majority in the Senate Is so large that
party exigencies ought not to have 9
paramount influence. We are, there
fore, OF the opinion that the attitude
of the corporations doing business ir
Arizona will eventually have the de
Gliding voice. If the corporations favor
Statehood, it is sure to come. If thu
corporations are Indifferent thu
chances OF obtaining Statehood are ex
cellent. If the corporations are op
posed to Statehood there is not on'
chance in a hundred that the bill ex
alting Arizona will pass the Senate
II the corporations interfere with tn,
desires and hopes and aspirations o
the people of Arizona, a day OF reckon
ing should await them. 4 spirited peo
pie even in q condition of Territorial
vassalage who yet have control Of th
taxing power ought to be able to con
vince the corporations that it Is no
wise to antagortize the people an,
arouse them to resentment.
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