Arizona republican., 1903-02-13
Senatorial Distrust of the People.


 In the course of his three-day speech against the omnibus bill, Senator Burn ham paid truthful tribute to the high character of the governor and the judi: ciary of Arizona, which we take pleas ure in quoting.
 An inquiry naturally occurred to the committee as to the character of the officials who have been appointed by the government. So far as we could learn there was no objection to their governor. We met him, and l do not believe there is an executive in any one of the states who Is his superior. He is man of intelligence, of great worth, and of true patriotism. who for many years, as an officer in the regular army battled with savage Indians and won 1 distinguished honors. l do not believe that in an election, held however long ! after statehood is granted, there would be chosen a better man than Governor Brodie.
 "They have, too, their appointed judges. We found them men of charac- ter, men of attachments, men of a high order of ability. good lawyers, and good judges. The people of Phoenix were so proud of their court that they de- sired us to visit it during one of it's sessions. The judge who was then holding court was Judge Kent. who. it happened, was the only one who had come from outside the territory, as we understood. Judge Kent was the son of a former governor of Maine, well known throughout the country, Cover nor Kent.
 He went from Maine to New York where he was for time a student and , afterwards a lawyer in large practice. ! From there, I think, he went to Colo 1 rado or to Kansas. and then into this | territory. He is known to some sena- | tors, and is a man who impresses one immediately with his high character, probity, and honor. We went into the room to witness the proceedings of that 1 court. I do not believe there exists In any eastern or middle state one whose business is conducted with better or der. with more dignity, with more of that which most becomes court.
 There was this said. however, and it was said with gravity and earnestness as if it were great and existing evil i that when cases which were tried in a [ lower court before a certain judge passed by appeal to a higher court the same judge was consulted and partici- pated in the delibera tions of the appel late court. When the inquiry was made. Does that custom exist today Y the answer was No So all the reason and foundation for that complaint had some time before been removed.
 ''In both these territories the gover- nors for some time past have been i taken from among their own people i Their judges, as rule, have been citi- zens of the territory where they off, ciated. So long as they are incorrupt- ible and men of high character per forming their judicial duties without cause for complaint, surely there is nothing intolerable in this condition.
 'The question arises. Who wants a change; who desires most that the ter ritorial condition shall be laid aside and statehood assumed? The natural inquiry is. Who would be most inter- ested in the change? I do not believe 1t is the agriculturist in those terri tories; I do not believe it is the mine | owner. or the man who delves in the mines: I do not believe it is the stock raiser who is most interested; but therl are those who. with commendab ble
 
 honors, of course. would come throug. statehood. There is the great office o1 their chief executive. the governor pt their state. which would be an office very honorable, very desirable to fiji
 and it is not strange that men of aspir-
 ing disposition should be ambitious i.
 that direction.''
 \ Senator Burnham made an elabora tc argument to demolish q contention a.f
 vanced by nobody in Arizona. From no responsible source has there beer any complaint concerning the official. mentioned by the senat tor. Republican. and democrats alike are proud of them Had the senator wished to be entire1,
 fair. he would have told the senate tha
 these very federal officials whom h.
 praises so highly and justly, are un wavering advocates of statehood. Ac
 cording to the Burnham logic, there i
 no need of state government anywher;
 in the United States, since the fedora appointees are uniformly men of tn,
 highest character According to tha
 doctrine, so long as the president O
 the United States appoints excellen
 men to office it is better to withhol, . f-government from the people. AD surd as it may seem, the numerou f speeches made by Senator Beveridge . and the long addresses made by othe- . senators have rung the changes on tn
 fact that President Mckinley and Pres : ident Roosevelt have aDDointed si1c, , good men to office in Arizona and Ney Mexico that it would not be wise { , change the system of government
 They overlook the fact that sels e government is an American right an
 not privilege. They overlook the fac