Arizona republican., 1902-02-16
GOVERNOR MURPHYs RETURN
He Speaks of Statehood and Other
 Matters Affecting Arizona

Governor and Mrs. N. o. Murphy re turned yesterday morning from the east. after an absence of little more than 9 month. The governors time was almost wholly spent in Washing ton, mostly in the interest of state hood. Speaking Of the statehood move ment he said: ",iood work for Arizona is being done by very few men. Delegate smith is working he roisallv and doing everys;ling in his power before the committee and be- fore congress. He. secured the action of the democratic congress in eadors- ing the admission of the territories and should the statehood movement fail it will not hc because of any lack of diligence or effort on his part Cap tain l.. ". Mix of Nogales is the only member of the committee appointed at the late statehood convention in Phoe- uix. who was in Washington and at tended the hearings before the committee. Mir. ". J. Murphy was in the city. but he was called away by ure.eut private business before the time set for the hearing. MT. E. A Fowler and Colonel :. L. AicCowan were also before the committee. did everything ! could. but We were all greatly handicapped by the apathy that exists at home. It seems strange that the people of Arizona should have done so little. The movement looks like farce. There has been. no con certed effort Of any kind. We could Rot show to the committee that there was any desire in Arizona for state hood The great railroads. as we'll as the banks and other corporatious of the territory were aDathetic. The santa Fe and the Southern Pacific could each have contributed sl0.G50 to a statehood campaign fund On the contrary. they have done nothing. eN- cept say that they were not opposed to statehood, but you know the .old saying: Who is not for me i~ against me.
 The bills for the three territories will be reported by the house commit tee on February 21 That has been agreed upon. but | do not know thar they will be recommended. No bill for the admission of Arizona has yet been introduced into the senate. How one will fare there cannot be told. for the senate steering committee has just been appointed. and no one has ascer- tained the sentiment of its members in respect of statehood. I believe # there had been a strong effort and uuanimity of purpose in the territory We might hope for admission.
 On the subject of irrigation 1eEisla- tion. the governor said: Everything is at sizes and sevaus. 4 great many bills have been introduced, but they are still at SO great variance. that T hardly think there will be anv bene- ficial irrigation legislation. some of the bills. and which were good ones. might be passed but for the opposition of the ultra irrigstionists. As it is the only legislation probable will pos slbly be a rider on the river and har- bor. bill and. perhaps. an appropria - tion for beginning worS at san Carlos. This county should secure the passa ce of an enabling act allowing it to pledge it's credit for the construction of a res :Vcir :t the Hudson or at any other
 suitable site. I have no project of my
 own. l am Interested only iu the rec lamatiou of the arid lands. and will support any plan which will bring it
 about. J have my own ideas as .u
 which is the best plan, but [ am not
 welded to any"
 In the matter of pending general leg
 isl5tion. the governor said there was g
 great deal of confusion in congress
 There was no organized majority. for
 instance. for or against the bills foI
 the repeal of the war taxes. Cuban re-
 NAli f'4LN bl tll- tliAt tkl lillltH LtA III blll
 Many congressman who would support
 the war tax repeal bill will oppose it. because they see in it's passage the de-
 feat of Cuban reciprocity.
 Concerning territorial matters. the
 governor said: "The appointments Sd
 far made by the president are largely . personal. IT some Of them have beer
 unfortunate it is because of his lack
 Of knowledge of the character of the appointees. If non-resiGents have Deea
 appointed to offices in Arizona. it is
 because of the conduct of our own uco-
 pie: quarreling among themselves and
 making bitter attacks upon federal of-
 fcials. T. is a matter Of regret tha,
 the people Of the territory have not
 been actuated by higher motives and
 greater uranimity of purpose for tn,
 political and commercial Oetterment oi | Arizona.
 Personally. I was very cordially
 treated by the president and officers
 of the national administration | au
 well pleased with the result of my
 visit.
 General MacArthUr. commardina
 the department of the Colorado. is now ! in Prescott. in the course os q tour Q;
 inspection of the western army posts