Arizona republican., 1902-10-12
Senator Quay, Statehood ana
 Democratic Papers.

DamOCrattC FaperSs
 It is undoubtedly good thing for Arizona's statehood prospects that the democratic papers of the territory have a very limited and altogether local cir culation. With their habitual stupid itv. and in a vain endeavor to muster votes for Wilson. several of these sheets are busily advertising that the demo- cratic members of the United States senate are not to be relied upon as true friends of statehood that these demo- cratic senators are insincere in their professions, and that their advocacy of statehood for Arizona has a large sized string attached to it-in other words that they will be lined up against our admission into the Union unless it shall be made to appear that the territory is safely democratic The democratic sen- ators whose sincerity and good faith are thus attacked would, of course. only laugh at such accusations from repub- liean sources: but since they are att lacked from day to day by newspapers of their own faith, in the very terri tory whose fate hangs in the balance, it certainly is not calculated to increase their zeal in behalf of the statehood bill.
 The text for these numerous and con- tinuous democratic assertions of sena- torial insincerity, is found in an alleged statement or letter from Senator Quay to somebody, to the effect that he had such doubt of the good faith of demo cratic supporters of statehood that he feared they would desert their colors should Arizona go republican this fall. If he made such a statement, or if he wrote such a letter, as so frequently stated in the democratic press, he may have gone to the length of stating positive belief that the democratic side in the senate is playing small politics,
 
 and does not wish to see Arizona ad- mitted unless its democracy can be guaranteed-we have seen no letter from the senator, such as the demo- cratic papers purport to quote, and mo- body of responsibility has yet clairied to quote him in terms.
 Senator Quay is an honored veteran of many political battles. No other leader in the republican party has been subjected to such an unceasing ava lanche of personal abuse and misrep- resentation from democrats throughout a long career. Therefore he may not have the proper charitable spirit to- ward democratic politicians. It must be confessed that his opinion of demo- cratic senators should go for something. for he is a keen judge of men, and has served many years in the senate. But we are ready to believe that his judg ment of democratic senators is too harsh Be that as it may, he is entitled to his opinion, and senators on the democratic side are not likely to be offended by additional evidences of Sem ator Quay's frankness.
 But how will these democratic sena- tors. regard the alacrity with which the democratic press of Arizona echoes Senator Quay's belief? United States senators have all the frailties of hum bier mortals. They esteem the good opinion of their fellow men. They do not object to battles with their political opponents but they do not appreciate attacks from the rear. Not one of the democratic senators will feel increased friendship for Arizona when told that the democrats of this territory paint him as a hypocrite in the statehood matter. All of the democratic speeches and interviews at Washington have taken the strong ground that statehood for the territories has been made . democratic doctrine b< national demo- cratic platforms. Nearly every demo- crat that has gone on record in the sen- ate has argued that the political phase of the question should be ignored.
 Frankly, we have been glad to take them at their word. We. too, have dep- recated the injection of politics into the statehood question. The citizens of Arizona are absolutely united for state