Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1904-09-14
TOUCHED TENDER SPOT.


 The recent comments of the Journal Miner concerning the political situa- tion and the condition of the state hood question seems to have touched a tender spot in democratic ranks if the fervid, though disjoiuted argu- ments advanced by the Phoenix En- terprise are true index of democrat ic anxiety.
 Beyond all doubt the test of the qualifications of any candidate, for delegate to congress, democratic or republican, will be that candidate s attitude on the statehood question: whether for independent, joint or no statehood. The people of Arizona de- sire independent statehood; we have been asked to accept joint statehood which we do not desire and to avoid having it thrust upon us are forced to advocate no statehood until such time as congress considers our qualiti- cations sufficient to entitle us to ad mission independently of New Mexico. The Enterprise will certainly agree with us on these points. There is no danger of the joint statehood bill be- coming a law if Arizona does not, during the coming session, press her claims for joint statehood. The re- publican senate will not forc5 upon the territory what it does not desire, so long as the territory does not de- mand that which would decrease the republican majority in the senate. The election of a democratic delegate will simply emphasize the historical fact that Arizona is democratic and would return two democratic senators if admitted. No republican. senate would favor admission under such conditions. But, on the other hand if republican delegate be elected the senate will fear no impairment of its power, and will welcome to ad- mission a territory which is in accord with it. All of the agitation, dis cussIon and debate about statehood has brought the territory just that much nearer admission. The promi- nence gained is the opening wedge to future favorable action. And it is a significant fact that all of prominence gained by the territory, industrially and politically, its gigantic enter prises for irrigation, have been brought about and promoted by re- publican men and by and through the influence and aid of republican ad- ministratoDs. We have not yet learn ] ed, nor has the Enterprise attempted i to say what particular good thing, 1 political or otherwise, has been ac- | complished or advanced for the | benefit of the territory, by the demo- cracy or any of its disciples. We do not know of any particular good which Hon. NJ. A. Smith has accom- plished for the territory. He has rear ed no monument in his legislative career which marks any political pro- gress for the territory, and it is fair to presume that he will accomplish no more in the future than in the past The people will look to results. We want men in office who do things. So far as benefit to the territory is con- cerned precedent is against the demo- cracy. Republican men are those who have accomplished things in and for the territory and the Enterprise seems very much to fear that the republican party will nominate as delegate one who will win in the coming elections. MT. Fowler's name was mentioned in with the race for congress because his record shows him to be a man who can accomplish things and therefore one who can benefit the ter ritory politically. From the prema- ture howl made by the Enterprise we conclude it realizes and fears these very things. The interests of the ter ritory require that all loyal Arizon- ans stand for no statehood until such time as congress can beSsatisfied that the territory is qualified for inde-