Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1904-04-16

time hold the confidence of influential
legislators at the capital. d
April 10, 1904.
"Hon. j. c. Needham, NJ. c.,
washington, ID. c.
MY Dear Sir: Your telegram of this
date before me as follows: Are people
of Arizona still opposed to joint state
hood with New Mexico? Is there any
change of sentiment since you were
here?
II make immediate reply as follows:
Arizona people We're never more de-
termined in opposition to joint state
hood. Absolutely no change in senti-
ment since you saw me, except it is
more outspoken. Such atrocious joint
ure will yet be defeated.
II cannot picture to you the intensity
of bitter opposition on the part of our
people and the united press of Arizona
to the atrocious proposition of tying us
un with New Mexico as one state. In
my Judgment the territory of Arizona
will cast an overwhelming vote against
such a union, and from the best infor-
nation at my command, New Mexico
will cast a large if not a majority vote
against it.
wild statements were made in
Washington on this subject by men ig-
norant of the facts, as we'll as by men
who ought to have known better. es-
pecially my friend Rodey The people
who are pushing. this proposition do
not understand existing conditions
here. They are trying to unite and
amalgamate two heterogeneous ele-
ments. The population is radically df-
ferent, the customs are different, the
laws have grown up from different
foundations and there are so many in
tricate and complex problems arising
therefrom in the way of vested rights,
water rights, etc. that it will be al
most impossible to bring about a union
that shall be just and equitable and
proper.
THE opinion is freely expressed here
that if congress forces us into con-
stitutional convention wholly and COM
pletely against our will, which would
be most unfortunate, we will fight it
out on the floor of the convention.
why not let us remain a territory
until the next census, giving us an op-
portunity to develop our agricultural
resources under the magnificent irri-
cation systems that have already been
begun or projected along the Colorado,
Salt and ella rivers. and giving US
almost limitless mineral resources.
which have as yet scarcely been
touched? The tide of immigration from
the north, east and south is now full
and strong; n few years more and we
can point to a civilization, population,
wealth and resources of which any
state in the union may well be proud.
And if in 1912, after the census has
been taken and published, and we have
had eight years to grow, then if in the
wisdom of congress it is not advisable
to adopt us into the sisterhood Of
states, after having waited patiently
fifty years from the territorial organ
izatiCn, we will wait still longer and
90 on demonstrating our fitness for
association with our brothers and sis
tiers from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
whom we have left to come into this
section to build up a new empire.
"If there is anything further that I
can do to assist you in fighting this
joint statehood proposition, pray let
me know what it is, and give me an
opportunity to join you.
II think perhaps ii may be of assist
ance to you for me to send you a few
copies of recent issues Of our local pa
pers, containing editorials on this sub
ject which I will attend to at once.
Meanwhile hoping to hear from you on
the subject"