Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1902-06-14
APPLYING FOR STATEHOOD.


APPLYING FOR STATEHOOD.
Before the h..i for the admission to
the union as states OF the territories OF
Oklahcaha. Arizona and New Mexico
was assed by the house OF representa-.
tivos, fortnight ago. Marcus 4. Smith,
delegate from Arizona made a strong
speech in favor of the earnest wishes
OF his own constituents. says the proyi.
dencc, r. l., Journal His arguments.
with slight changes, apply as well to
the other territories mentioned. Dur.
ing his term of service he has seen
Washington. Montana, North and
South Dakota, Idaho Wyoming and
Utah all become states of the union
and the same privilege again and again
the opposition to the present bin is due
principally to party politics, and that
as far as population, enlightenment
and general prosperity are concerned
there is no reasonable excuse for deny.
ing statehood to his territory, for its
people are as well fitted to fulhll the
duties which would devolve on them
as those of any other part of the Coun
try, an assertion that most of us can
not accept as true. His piCtu of the
injuries which the interests OF teri
tory suffer under the rule OF congress
was a telling one He concluded by
sa .ng: They do not present them.
selves as supplicants nor do they bear
themselves with arrogance or presump-
ton. They come as free American
citizens by treaty. by adoption and by
birth. ana ask that they may be par.
mittod to reap the common benefits.
share the common ills and promote the
common welfare as enc of the United
states Of America.
incidentally. he took occasion TO
comment on the low standard of ethics
manifested Ivy that shining cXemplar OF
cheap politics. General GrOsvenor. Of
Ohio, who had spoken IN opposition to
the bill, saying, among other things
Yes I knew General Grosyenor was to
speak against this bill. He could not
help 1t without hurting his record He
is consistent above all things. He pre-
serves consistency 10y being always
wrong. and an even temper by being
always mad
II Is Il fact. and one 10 be regretted.
tnat of late the prevailing motive for
admitting territories TO fun statehood
in the union has been the wish OF the
dominant party 30 Increase the mum
~
the senate and the house ot representa-.
lives This. of course. 20 such narrow.
minded partisans as General Gros-
N,nor is an entirely sufficient reason
and one thoroughly deserving of com.
mcudatiuu For them the doctrine, SO
dear to their hearts. that to the yctors
belong the spoils means that the van.
pushed have no rights which need 10
lc considered. Such a view. IL need
hardly hc said. is not accepted 10y the
right minded people Of the country
Tn, Inhabitants of the territories are
citizens of the United States and these
territories are entitled to bee made
states when a certain condition OF
affairs in them is reached To refuse
them admission to the union. then, ls
to withhold from them "A right aud not
merely 10 decline 20 grant them "A
favor IL is the duty of congress
therefore, To inquire into such matters
fully and carefully and To decide the
case altogether on its merits without
auy regard To any political advantages
which this or that party may gain a
decision thus arrived at. even If UNI
favorable 20 the wishes of a com.
munity would do away with the sense
of injustice and the sting felt when
Ignorance of the true conditions Is
plainly manifest or these conditions
are openly disrcgardcd tor partisan
purposes. The hlli FOR the admission
of these three territories passed the
house of representatives. I'm the case
OF Oklahoma the reasons for making &c
"A state seem 10 hc good but with Ari
IONA and New Mexico doubts are more
apparent and further delay may bee
ad yignilc