The border vidette., 1904-10-08
EuIO siseS Mark Smith,


 zona. In a recent speech in Tucson he paid a glowing tribute to Mark Smith He said, in part:
 "Fifteen years ago or whereabouts, chanced one day to drop into the gallery of the House of Representatives at Washington, to while away an idle hour and find diversion. and perchance instruction, from the operations of that branch -S our great law making body. When the appointed time arriv ed bill was taken up as special order that provided for the admission to the union of the Territory of Ari- zona. There was a warm and interest in debate, and presently a member arose in his place and signalled for the recognized from the chair. Tall, broad shoudered, with splendid head well mounted and with sturdy poise, grace ful iniesture, easy upon his feet, with blue eyes that bIazed under excitement, voice that penetrated to every corner of that great chamber, he immediately gained the attention of the house and galleries. Slowly, deliberately, earn estly he proceeded with his presentation of his case cooly argumentative at times, clear cut in the recital of the facts, fearless and intensely interesting in his delineatIon of the wrongs of his people, eloquent in his portrayal of the possibilities of the future of the coun- try. For more than two hours he held his hearers spellbound, as it were, and when at last he closed in magnific- ent peroration his compeers gathered around him, profuse with their con gratulations and and liberal with their encouniums- It was great speech and great man. I have come to know him since I know him for what he is. i.a>, his lot been cast where the possibilities are greater, the op- portunities more propitious. where his merits could have won just reward, he would have been a central figure in national esteem. But as it is, there is no man better known in Washington, more highly regarded by his associates, more potent in influence than Is my friend and your neighbor, the Hon. Marcus A Smith
 "No new man you might select could gain in ten years service the preSf iUa tba iDtiuaDoa ba pou- aDioyS prestige and influence that will stand as a tower of strength for the progress and growth and development of this Territory; prestige and influence that will provs potent in defending the splendid interests of this people from the assaults of political demago- gues and partisan warped scavengers who would not hesitate to prostitute the welfare of this Territory to polit ical advantage. He Is regarded by the investors of the east and the mid tect their investments in mine and ranch from the intrigues of scheming politicians, and I say to that one great  n.enace that stands in the way of your growth and development Is the specter of statehood with New Mexico. With you 1t should not be question of paky loyalty, but it should be an or ganized, aggressive, uuyielding union of men and interests to meet the crisis that Is now upon you. No man in Arizona Is so well equipped to represent you as is Mark Smith. No other has or within the allotted time can gain the acquaintance that he enjoys and the influence with the powers that must be evoked which he possesses If the union with New Mexico should spread it's blighting curse upon you 1t will Lot only block the wheels of pro gress, but will turn them backward. Capitol would shun investment within your borders and your splendid Terri tory would become a plague spot upon l the face of civilization. Men of cap ital and enterprise await the issue The defeat Of Smith wonld give a new impetus to joint statehood and would sound the death knell to many desir- able contemplated investments So