Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-04-25
STATEHOOD QUESTION.
Opinions Of Two influential Arizona
Newspapers.

The Hon. Il. s. Rodey. delegate to
congress from New Mexico, has just
returned to his home at Albuquerque,
and expresses the opinion that Arizona
and New Mexico will be made one
state, by republican party action early
in the next session of congress. Mr.
Rodey says that no amount of opposi-
ton on the part of Arizona can pre-
vent this. and he intimates that New
Mexico will welcome the relation. AS
Stunning that Mr. Rodey, who is a re.
publican, is speaking by the authority
of his party leaders in congress, what
are the people of Arizona going to do
about It?
In time OF peace. prepare for war, is
an adage both ancient and wise. I'm.
less the people of this territory are
willing that Arizona should become a
vassal province of New Mexico no time
is to be lost in preparing to fight the
proposal. II should not be lost sight
of that In the next congress the people
of Arizona will not have Mark Smith
at the helm. Colonel Wilson may
prove to he all that could be desired.
but he has not had as much experience
as Mr.. Smith, Is not so widely ac-
| quainted. and II Is to be doubted II he
| can exert the same commanding infiu'
| ence on the democratic leaders IN both
houses of congress. Mr. Smith prevent
| ed the amalgamation OF Arizona and
New Mexico during the last session OF
| congress. For this he is entitled to the
eternal gr; situde OF the people Of Arl
| iona. In the next congress the ques
ton will again be alive and unless the
people OF Arizona present a solid, de
termined fighting front. Arizona will be
obliterated from the map of the United
States.
| This is the most serious public prob
lem now confronting the people OF Ari
IONA. We believe that not per cent
OF the people OF this territory are will
ing to join New Mexico in statehood
Government from Washington Is moi
ideal but government from Santa FL
would be intolerable. Both houses ol
the Arizona legislature by unanimous
vote passed memorial TO congress
protesting against joint statehood
This Is the official vote of Arizona. Tn,
people should prepare to back 1t up
TO give 1t force and effect.
A committee Of public safety shou.,
now be organized This should b,
made up of men Of all parties. Thu
duty of this committee should be {,
protect the commonwealth. Arizona II
worth fighting for as 1t stands, AS |
province of New Mexico 1t woul,
wither and decay. New Mexico woul,
tax Arizona to death destroy its indus
tries. abolish its institutions, imperi
its civilization, Arizona wishes New
Mexico well as a neighbor and friend
But the highest effort of Arizoni
craftsmanship should be exerted 4
prevent political amalgamation will
New Mexico-Tucson Citizen.
In some respects this article is al
injustice to New Mexico, as her in
debtedness is less than half that of Ar
zona, and her tax rate Is much lower
Then New Mexico could not tax Ar
zona to death" without taxing hersel
accordingly. New Mexico has made
most remarkable growth during tn
past Ave years. More miles OF railroa'
have been built In New Mexico durinI
the past two years than any other stat
or territory In the union save one
Texas. New towns, and good ones
too, are springlng into existence al
over New Mexico. Old conditions ar
fast passing away in New Mexico, an
} new era OF great and lasting prosper
ity has come. New Mexico Is beyon
Arizona as an agricultural. horticu
J tural and stock raising country. Ar
J IONA, by combination with souther
New Mexico, would hold the balance @
J political power in the state, whic
would mean the removal of the capita
TO Albuquerque, more central locs
ton.
: But aside from these questions, tn
! bill would provide that Arizona shout
become a state when its populatio