Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-24
REPORT OF GOV. BRODIE
OPPOSES ADMISSION OF ARIZONA
AND NEW MEXICO AS ONE STATE.
Floating Debt of the Former Territory
Wiped Out-Recommendat
Urged as to Education

Gov. Alexander o. Brodie of Arizona ar
CUES strongly against the passage of the
bill admitting Arizona and New Mexico to
statehood one state, in his annual re-
port, made public today. The governor
asks the Secretary of the Interior to exert
the influence of the depa rtment, wherever
consistent, against the passage of the bill
He declares that such a union of the two
territories would be nimical to the best
interests of both and opposed to the wishes
or the people of Arizona, who prefer ter
ritor1al form of government to admission
In such manner as that proposed. Arizo-
mas claims to individual statehood should
be given due consideration, Governor Brodie
states, and he urges the Secretary to use
whatever influence he can, with propriety
70 procure the passage of bill through
congress which will grant the citizens of
the territory the benefits of statehood The
report states that the territorial population
has increased considerably and that the
totai population now is between 165 coo and
10000.
Floating Debt Wiped Out.
With regard to the Indebtedness of the
territory Governor Brodie states that the
floating Indebtedness of Arizona, which on
June 30. 1903, was S92,341, has been wiped
out, and a balance of S2O,S49 remained in
the general fund at the close of the last
nscai year. The taxable property in the
territory has gained 1,S91 800 during the
year The total taxable property of the
various counties is $4,000 545 Substantial
progress in other directions is reported.
To Remedy an Injustice.
In closing his report Governor Brodie
makes number of Recommendations
among which are the following:
That the Congress- of tho JTnitad ct.+o.
be requested to reimburse Pima county.
Ariz, in the sum Of $31S27529 by direct
appropriation as being repayment to said
county Tor an injustice committed by Con-
gress In passing an act which validated
certain $50 bonds, with accrued interest.
known as the Pima County Narrow Gauge
railroad bonds" after the entire issue of
said bonds had been declared by the Su-
preme Court of the United States to be in
valid and void. and for which Pima county
had never received value
That the Indian school facilities in Ari-
iona be increased in order to more quickly
self-supporting. and that measures be
taken to more properly care for the gradu-
ates of these schools by finding for them
proper employment, thus aiding in pre-
venting their return to former modes of
life.
To Restore the Forest Area.
That appropriate measures be taken look
ing to the regeneration of the depleted for
est area in this territory, and that sys-
TEN Of tree and tree-seed planting be inau-
gurated by the division of forestry in Or
der that the watersheds Of the various
streams in the territory may be kept UNI
impaired as sources of water supply.
That further and extensive systems of
water storage and systems of power
under the provisions of the reclamation
act be inaugurated in Arizona until all
food and subsurface waters are made
~ Ia Fns~r <xf vrfu ffrv,
Irrigation Resources.
That appropriate measures be taken by
the department looking to the develop
ment Of the irrigation resources of the
various Indian reservations within the
limits OF the territory. In order that the
members Of the various tribes resident