Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-03-05
PHOENIX, ARIZONA. MARCH 5, 1903.
Delegate Smith on the Proposed
Union With New Mexico.

Union With New Mexico.
The legislature cannot in justice
to itself or the people of the territory,
ignore Delegate Smiths request for
memorial against "any sort of union
with New Mexico A legislative me-
mortal to congress is the most solemn
of all communications from the people
to the national law makers, and is con-
sidered by congress as far more I'M
portant than joint or concurrent res
olution.
Mr.. Smiths message yesterday had
the true Arizona ring. 1t was crafty
ing to all advocates of separate state
hood, and probably surprising to none.
We took great pleasure several weeks
ago in pointing to the fact that by
standing out against all suggestions of
consolidation with New Mexico, Mr..
Smith had risen above partisan and
personal considerations and was per-
forming a high patriotic duty. We
have no doubt whatever that if Mr..
Smith had surrendered to the blandish-
ments and inducements held out by the
people of New Mexico, and the compro-
mise state had been created, he could
have obtained a senatorship for him
self, for a bargain made in the name
of New Mexico would have been car
ried out by both political parties OF
that territory. On account of the close
relations which once existed between
Nv NJ iva
in this territory jumped at the conclu-
sion that Mr.. Smith had been tempted
at last by New Mexico, and that the
council resolutions voiced his senti-
ments. We did not Believe that to be
the case, and Mr.. Smith has definitely
established a record for consistency by
regulating the council resolution.
Now that Delegate Smith has
spoken, we presume that The Republi-
can will no longer be lonesome in de-
nouncing the council majority's action
which placed Arizona in false posi-
ton before the country. So far the
Tucson Citizen is the only democratic
paper to condemn in vigorous terms
the Ives resolution. But the Citizen is
emphatic. The editorial from which we
quote was written before the house
adopted the ringing resolution de-
nouncing the action of the Ives fac
ton in the council.
This is a surrender weak, a cow
ardly, an objectionable surrender"
says the Citizen. 1.-The ma jority of the
council is plainly composed of kinde
garten statesmen. So far is their in
f1uence and action can go, they have
assented to the obliteration OF Arizona
as a political entity.
I'VE hope the house at Phoenix,
which seems to be the best ballasted of
the legislative chambers, will promptly
repudiate the action of the council. In
the early days of the session a joint
resolution was passed instructing Dele
gate Smith to oppose union with New
Mexico under any conditions. This
instruction properly reflected the senti-
ments of the people of Arizona Con-
gress dare not destroy the autonomy of
Arizona against the earnest protest of
its people. We can manage to live
and prosper and enjoy life under the
territorial form of government for
years to come. if necessary, but we
would not prosper and enjoy life as q
yaSsal province of New Mexico
Commenting upon The Republicans
statement that the Hon. Charles NJ.
Shannon, the Hon. T. G. Norris, and
other prominent democrats warmly
congratulated Judge Kibbey upon his
able speech opposing the Ives resolu
ton, the Citizen said:
Mr.. Shannon is a true Arizonian. He
has lived here for a third of a. century
and did not come with the expectation
of being made senator of the United
States. He stands for the real senti-
mentS of Arizona and for the independ-
ence of its people He is familiar with
conditions in New Mexico, and conse-
quently opposes union under any cir
cumstances.
The resolution will be construed in
Washington as a rebuke to Delegate
Smith. 1t will be cast in his face by
the New Mexico politicians who have
been favoring the absorption OF Ari-
IONA all along. But Mr. Smith can rest
assured that his action in resisting the
merger with New Mexico meets with
the approval of the people of Arizona.
who honor him for his patriotism and
respect his sound Judgment
Our Tucson contemporary was the
one democratic paper in the territory
which had the courage to lead in an
emergency. 1t does rot matter now, to
be sure, what position is tardily taken
by other democratic journals, for the
house of representa- tives has spoken
in such emphatic language that nobody
can doubt where the people of Arizona
stand on the question of union with
New Mexico. 1t would not surprise us
row should Delegate Wilson climb into
the band wagon and cause his paper to
change front on the council resolution.