Arizona republican., 1904-03-05
4 GREATER PERIL
Some Democratic Congressmen Favor
 Joint Statehood.

Arizona seems to have fewer friends at court than it was supposed. MT. F.. r. Trott yesterday received d very dis couraging telegram from Congressman 0. w. Underwood of the Ninth Ala bama district. relating to joint state hood. It was called out by a telegranl of inquiry sent by Mr. Trott in refer ence to the private dispatch from Del egate Rodey of New Mexico, and d conhrmatory one by the Associated Press saying that President Roosevelt Arizona and New Mexico and would use his influence to have one passed by the present congress.
 Mir Trotts telegram was worded as follows: "Is the president openly fla vOrinG joint statehood for Arizona and | New Mexico? Are any democratic 1 senators and congressman advocating | it? Wire answer
 MT. Underwood's reply was far from reassuring. While he said he had not | been informed of the views of the pres ident, some of the democrats on the house committee on territories were in 1 favor of a joint statehood bill. Speaking of the situation. MT. Trott said he believed that it was most ser i ious and that the territory was con | fronted by the greatest danger in it's | history. He said it was possible that there were some things that could be done to not hasten it. The most inn portant thing was for the political par 1 ties to cease pickering and each ac- cusing the other of being wanting in l loyalty to the territory. It is now, ne says. time for both parties to get to- gether and try to inform congress of ! the repugnance of the people of the i territory to the proposed merger; Of | the damage it would be to the material : interests of Arizona. MT. Rodey had said that fifteen per cent of the people of this territory were in favor of joint statehood but were afraid to say SO Some of the papers had taken up this statement and pretending that there might be something in it, have asked who composed this fifteen per cent and intimated that the traitors were mem~ bers of the opposite party.
 | Said Mir Trott "I am d democrat have always taken an active part in politics and have always been loyal to my party. I believe l know as many of the people of the territory. demo crats and republicans, as almost any other man. and fully believe that there
 
 in favor of joint statehood. I do not ! know of any who are in favor of it 1 do not think it would be favored by republicans more than by democrats
 I hope to see this question of statehood eliminated from the politics of the tec- ritory. There can be no issue betweer the parties on this subject for all ate practically unanimously and earnest ly opposed to the joining of the twc territories This accusation by ont party that the other is favoring it vii i only make our case worse. Those who
 make such accusations might be taker
 at their word. The willing ears o congressman would entertain thnl
 statements that some of the people o Arizona desire the linking Of the ter ritories The thing to do is to let con
 gress know that there is not one. drm-
 ocrat or republican. who does not ab-
 hor joint statehood"
 MT. Underwood will be remembers as member of the Hearst party whci
 visited Phoenix last year. He wst
 strong advocate of the omnibus bill
 year ago and has taken a great inter.
 est in the territory. He is now a mem
 Der of tue house committee on irriga ton and has been a member of tho
 committee through several terms 9
 congress. He was one of the stron:
 supporters of the Hansbrough- New.
 lands law Tor the reclamation of aric lands.