Arizona republican., 1903-02-28
Playing With Edged Tools.

Playing With Edged Tools.
 The joint resolution introduced in the council by Senator Burson yesterday and SO forcibly advocated by Senator Ives. reciting that in the event of joint statehood being conferred upon Ari- zona and New Mexico, the constitution of the new state should not be adopted except by a majority vote of each terri tory, was, as to that, wholly unob- jectionable. It doubtless reflected the views of Arizona republicans and dem ocrats alike. with very few exceptions. But the very important point made on behalf of the republican members by Judge Kibbey was, that it was futile to hope that the resolution would have the effect intended; that, on the con- trary it would be accepted by senators as an offer of surrender from Arizona and would be construed, in short, IS a statement that the people of this territory are willing to abandon their aspirations for separate statehood and are ready to accept the proposed union with New Mexico. As Judge Kibbey eloquently stated, the senate of the United States would take the formal action of the legislature in the premises as an abandonment of all that Arizona has contended for. and as a final and official offer to dicker over the terms of surrender. The republican members were of the opinion that as soon as the senators at Washington are advised that the white flag has been raised over the capitol at Phoenix and that the people of this territory are ready to ac- cept the proposed compromise bill and are begging merely for terms, the sen atorial ice wagon will be driven over Arizona's prostrate form. And 1t must be admitted that the view of the republican members is a reasonable one
 Unquestionably, should the passage of the bill admitting Arizona and New Mexico as one state become imminent, 1t would be the highest prudence to make the best terms possible. For one crin ir1 piS paper. there should he two capitals. one at Phoenix. and the other at Santa Fe Each territory should pay it's own debt, there should be no debt of conse- quence incurred during the existence of the single state. and the tight of this territory to set up separate state government in a few years should be carefully conserved. But it does not yet appear that the passage of such a bill is inevitable, unless the resolution of yesterday changes the situation. Our dispatches yesterday morning re- ported the omnibus bill as dead, and at the present writing it seems that this unwelcome view of the situation must be accepted. But this means, also, that no compromise bill can be passed dur ing the remaining five days of this ses- sion if Delegate Mark Smith objects to 1t. and is supported by the Arizona Legislature. We take it for granted cient numbers to talk any objectionable compromise to death. And as for the Fifty-eighth congress-sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Barring the contingency of an extra session, the new congress will not convene until next December. Meantime, many things may happen.
 It is true that The Republicans ad- vices from Washington represent that 1t Is the purpose of the president and the leaders of the senate to admit Ari- zona and New Mexico as one state some time before the end of the Fifty-eighth congress. But accurate as our dis patches from Washington have been, it must be assumed in fairness to the president that the proposed action is