Arizona republican., 1904-04-10

hecn convinced of the error of his argu- ments and will now support the pro- 1ect.
 The evening was a delightful one and the music of the Pioneer band drew large assemblage together at an early hour. J. A. Marshall, the natural born chairman, presided at the meeting ard in opening it made a short speech re- ferring to the issue before the people and setting forth a few of the benefits that would follow the building of the road. He said it would help everybody in the valley; even the blacksmiths.
 B. A. Fowler was introduced as the first speaker. He spoke of the present issue before the people as wonderful business opportunity that ought not to he overlooked. People were not asked to vote for the bonds as a matter of sentiment, or to favor somebody but as a strictly business proposition. One of the arguments he had heard against the bonds was the fact that the build ing of the road was going to help Mesa City. He refused to harbor any thought that the people of Phoenix were so prejudiced that they would throw away their own opportunity simply because Mesa would profit also. But his strongest statements were in denial of the misrepresentation that had been made respecting himself, by means of a circular letter In which he had been quoted as saying to the congressional committee that the Tonto road in the first place was not necessary, and in the next place that the people of Phoe- nix were unanimous in their desire to vote the bonds. What he did say was that the road was not "vitalIy" neces- sary, though it was very important and a proper business move, and next that the sentiment of the people was strongly in favor of the bonds, statement which he still defends and expects to see verified at Mondays election. He did not attempt to answer all the misleading statements in the circular. for the time was too short and many of them suggested their own answer. In closing, though, he refer red to letters from government officials showing the interest of the reclamation service in the project and making plain that if the road is to be built the initiative must he taken by the people of this valley
 Judge Kibbey followed Mir. Fowler. saying that while he had always been conservative and even pessimistic at times about the future of this valley, within the last year or so the condi- lions have changed. He showed the benefits that would be derived from the building of the road. by the diversion Of business in this direction, referred to the farmer as the basis of prosperity and that the farmers of this valley having pledged their lands for more than their assessed valuation, the peo- ple of the city who were to derive equal benefits ought not to hesitate in as- sIming an obligation that would only cost them seven cents a year per S1O0 of their assessed valuation. He mention ed the growth that the city would nat urally make in population and wealth and might have made his argument stronger by saying that the city's ob- ligation would decrease in the ratio of that increased wealth.
 The chairman next announced that since the meeting began word had been brought to the stand that pr. J. M. Evans. who had Hitherto opposed the bonds, and who was then in the audi