Arizona republican., 1903-01-01
A FIGHTING CHANGE
 FOR STATEHOOD
Governor Murphy Hopeful but
 not SanguinG
In an Interview he Describes the Sit . nation of the Omnibus Bill and Also Pays His Respects to Senator Beve- ridge.

Ex- Governor Murphy returned to Phoenix from Washington yesterday | morning. When asked about the out
 ook for statehood he said:
 There is a fighting chance only, with the odds very much against us. While | the friends of the omnibus bill have a clear majority oi at least five the diff culty lies in forcing a vote. Senator Quay is active. earnest and resourceful put the shrewd managers of the opposi- ton control the appropriation bills and other privileged legislation and are in | position to obstruct delay and prevent | vote which is their declared policy. is also stated on good authority that
 he president desires the defeat of the | mnibus bill and is exerting his in | luence against it. It goes without | saying that if he is insistent, the bill l cannot be passed. There may be a | reaction in our favor but to me the out
 1ok is not very encouraging. We have 1 gained some votes and lost others and
 iisadccticn among the democrats is | 'har6ed, notably Senators Bacon, Vest | md Cockrell. The fate of the meas
 ire wholly depends upon securing a vote
 What about the reports of the sa--
 ttorial committee which lately visited the territories?
 They are the subject of much ad- verse criticism even among the enem- | ies of statehood. Many of the state ] mcnts they contain are so manifesuy unjust and so easily disprovcn that they are only injurious in influencing the uninfCTmed regarding investments and territorial credit. Influential men l ire industriously contradicting these evil reports and strong speeches will De made by senators who will vote against statehood but who deplore the siandcrous statements which have been circulated against our development and resources"
 How does Senator Bevcridge stand n Washington
 He does not stand at all. even among our enemies. He is largely subject of ridicule and is simply being used as tool and quite effectively be- cause oi his position as chairman of the committee on territories"
 Upon what in your Judgment is the
 cal reason for opposing admission based?
 "On ignorance sectionalism and sell
 fshncss. particularly tho latter Tho ialk about lack oi people. ill.teracy. ab- sence of resources. immortality. wrong politics, etc, is simply made to hide the true motives of the most powerful op- ] 1onents of statehood. A cotarie of | lbout dozen long service senator's 1 Nhon ] Go not care tD mention now
 nominate the senate and they wish to | 7erpetuate their power, and they do l not propose, if they can prevent it. t1
 cave what they arc pleased to call | tho equilibrium" Of the senate dis
 rbed. There you have the whole
 tory. There is neither statesmanship,
 patriotism, good politics. nor any worthy reason for their conduct but in | their sefishncss and assumption of superiority is found why they are op- posing us and t is exceedingly un-
 fortunate that they have been able l to deceive the president"
 Are any of our home people opposing the bill?
 One can hear all sorts of rumors in l Washington on that score but I hesi- tate to believe that any one here has been guilty Oi such treachery to the best interests of the territory. I could say great deal of the work that is being done for, and against the omni- bus bill and relate many details and much gossip which would not benefit anybody. Suffice it to say that in my l judgment We will be defeated but our enemies will know they have had a l fight"
 | How about irrigation and the con struction of the Tonto Basin reservoir?
 Nothing will be given out at the ! Department of the Interior on that sub l iCcf nnti1 hn | analysed and construed the reports of the members of the geological survey, who are investigating the various irri- gation projects throughout the western country. When these reports are re- | ceived the secretary will take action ! within the limitations of the irriga ton law or recommend it's amendment as | the case may be. In the meantime | it behooves our people to work earnest | ly and in harmony to secure the larg ! est benefits possible from the govern | ment's expenditure of the irrigation | fund. All our friends in Washington are working hard and conscientiously l 'or statehood. Mark Smith is leaving no stone unturned, although he does not feel over encouraged"
 How about the report that you were | ill in Washington?
 l 'I was very much under the wca ther and confined to my room for four days. | Nothing serious. however. and I man aged to strike lick or two for Arizona every day just the same"
 Do you expect to return to Washing ton upon the reassembling of congress?
 ''I think not. although I am informed hat several influential Arizo2iaAs in | cluding my brother will be on the ground soon after congress meets if not or a protraCted stay for at least time enough to make some forceful state rents in contradiction of the islanders which have been circulated against us. [ am mighty glad to get back to this delightful climate, away from the storms and cold Of the east"