The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-08

Washington. May - When the House
Of Representatives passed the state
hood bill on April 10. after a de-
bate that lasted three and one = half
hours. the good people of four enterprising
Territories lying in the southwestern part
Of the United States were In a position to
sit up and communicate with the nag
weavers, for, IL there is no hitch in the
programme. Old Glory will next session
unfold itself with the additional pride of
having had two more stars added to the
forty-hve which now fill the field of blue.
Oklahoma is taking in Indian Territory.
while New Mexico will lose dts identity by
being absorbed by Arizona. 1t is all the
result Of a bitter battle on the part Of the
Westerners for the rights which statehood
bestows. There was grim and violent OPP
position. political and personal. in the
night. The vote in the House the other
bay when the bill passed was declared
strictly a party vote.
The State OF Oklahoma must perfect its
stipulated State organization. and on
March 4. lsos. nay send to the House 1--WE
members and two to the Senate. This bill
appropriates money. sets aside public
lands for a school system and prohibits
plural marriages
The conditions relating to the admission
OF Arizona are about the sime. except that
Arizona will choose only two Representa-
tives. 1t will be admitted six months aft
er the approval OF the act if its citizens
organize a State government in compli-
ance with law at that time.
The capital of Oklahoma is fixed at
Guthrie until 1910. That of Arizona will
be Santa Fe.
NEXT TO TEXAS.
Arizona will be the second largest State
in the Union. Its combined area will ag-
gregate 35.o9o square miles. Texas lead
Ing with 2dS. $50 square miles. New York
State, with its $40 quare miles. might
be lost to sight in the wide domain of its
new sister. Oklahoma Is not much larger
"a New York, having $50 square miles
to her credit. In population Arizona is
sadly lacking. but under the inspiration of
statehood the wise statesmen of Arizona
maintain that a few years viii see her in
close competition with all of the West
ern States. The population Of Arizona 10
3eS.2l and that of Oklahoma 79o.3sl. There
is almost a square mile Of LAM for every
resident of the new State of Arizona.
The area of New York and New England
combined Is about equal to Arizona. Its
scenery Is sublime, with vast volcanic pla-
teaus from 3.cco to 1850 feet high in the
northern part and deep canons OF the rivers
in the southern part. The Colorado River
separates Arizona from California and Ne
ads for 400 miles. A striking feature of
the river is its passage through walls of
marble and grant from LOO TO LOO feet
high, displaying the most grotesQue forms.
their wildness in keeping with the mighty
mountain chains that traverse the Terri
tory. The climate varies considerably
from intense high temperature during the
summer Month to extreme cold In winter.
The air Is SO dry, however. that sunstroke
Is unknown. though the Thermometer reg
listers more than 100 frequently.
RECLAIMED BY IRRIGATION.
Artificial irrigation will reclaim immente
tracts of waste lands during the mex few
years. Crops are large wherever culti-
yated Wheat and alfalfa are raised IN