Williams news., 1904-05-14

tors, they then and there agreed all except Clark of Arkansas-that this bill should be defeated in the senate if it came to hearing there; that it should never pass that body. So that it was at this time that the democrats of the senate were lined up for the defeat of the bill uniting Arizona and New Mexico as one state
 Since that time I have seen, per sonally, every democratic senator, and some republicans as well, and they have individually assured me, from Senator Carmack, the young est senator, to Senator Morgan, the oldest, that they would leave noth- ing undone to defeat the bill. Not only that, but I have been prom ised by Senators Bard, Shoot and others on that side that the bill should never pass. So that, 1 say as fact, that was the time, and under those circumstances, and at the place named, the democratic senators lined up for the defeat of the statehood bill.
 Well, through the force of the president and the party leaders on the republican side in the senate and house, a caucus of the re >ubli- can members was called pril Ia. to arrange for the forcing of the joint bill as prepared by the ma jority of the committee through the house. A rule was directed to be brought in with the bill prohibiting amendments and allowing but 3 hours all told for discussion. In that discussion 1 was allowed near ly all the time given to our side, and I forced the facts on them as strong as I could make them. The vote was taken, and on the call of the house every democrat, without exception, stood by me and our cause, and also two republicans broke over the bars and voted with us. All the other republicans voted for the jointure, thus violating the pledges they made to the territo
 ries and to the country in 1900. 1 fought this battle terribly hard, and when I saved every democratic vote and two republicans as we'll, I feel that no living party man could
 have done more under the circum- stances.
 The democrats, God bless them, stood by me as nobly and as loy- ally as did Napoleon's Imperial
 Guard, in their day, stand by the cause and the ri-colors of France.
 Nevertheless the bill passed the
 house and was sent to the senate, and was there referred to the com
 mittee on territories. The opposi-
 tion expressed against it in the sen
 ate was powerful. The bill had no
 consideration in the senate com- mittee, but was put safely to sleep in its little bed, to be called up
 possibly never, and possibly next session. I feel warrapted, however : in assuring the people of Arizona , that they are certain of being saved from the great injury threatened by the house-the jointure with New
 Mexico by the senate next session This is all have been able to do
 but this much I have done. God knows I would have done more hao it been possible.
 This plain statement of facts give to the press of the territory that the people may understand ) precisely what has been done ir this matter, how it has been done when it was done, and the influ ences that affected 1t.
 In conclusion, permit me to re- turn my thanks in the main to the press of the territory for the loya manner in which it has stood by me and by the cause for which have battled, and sought to holc , up my hands in this, the severes
 of battles; because 1 believe my
 thanks should be thus expressed. 1 have the honor to be. with the ] highest regards. your obedient ser