Arizona republican., 1904-12-30
Lew waIIace's Scheme chlmericaI.

General Lew Wallace. who was gov ernOr of New Mexico many years ago. is bitterly opposed to the joint state hood bill. He explains that long ab- sence from New Mexico has not caus-s ed him to lose interest in that terri tory, and he pronounces the merger scheme an outrage. In his judgment each of the territories is entitled to full statehood. But the famous and venerable author of Ben Hur'' makes a suggestion which is not practical,
 "This thing will never be brought about as long as I can fight it." t.he said at Indianapolis the other day. Those people have not forgotten me yet, and I shall use every influence to save them. If this tyrannical bus mess is forced upon them I shall do all can to make them repudiate the act I shall advise them to accept nothing from this government; I shall tell them not to go to the polls; I shall tell them not to elect congress- men and senators; not to choose a leg islature, and, if need be, I'll go back down there to those people and help them fight this battle. I love the peo-
 
 two and one-half years as governor, and I know their condition and their needs. The bill now advocated by Senator Beveridge is bad. It means the practical disfranchisement of the whole people Of both territories
 Assuming that the bill will pass and assuming that it will receive the approval of the president, joint state hood can be defeated only, by the peo- pie turning out at the polls and refus- ing to ratify the proposed constitu- tion. It would do no good to under take to carry out General WaIlace's suggestions. It would not be wise for the people to stay away from the polls. and it would be foolish for them to try to refrain from making nom nations for state, legislative and con- gressional offices.
 The scheme is not practicable, for the reason that neither political party would trust the other. Suppose, for example, the republicans should say to the democrats: Let us do as Lew Wallace says. Let's make no nomina- tions, and let's tell everybody to stay away from the polls" It is obvious. in the first place, that nobody but the op- ponents of joint statehood would fol- low the advice. The advocates of the proposed state would turn out and vote for ratification, and the net re- suit would be a practically unanimous ratification of the constitution. And it is no less nonsensical to think that the no-nomination plan could be car ried out. As we have said, neither party would trust the other, although both might apparently agree to it. Each would fear that the other fellows would quietly perfect their Organiza- ton and arrangements, and at the last moment place a ticket in the field and gain advantages which it would be inn possible for the other side, morgan iZed. to overcome.
 The facts must be faced. If the bill becomes a law. we shall witness the hottest and at the same time the most anomalous campaign ever seen in the United States. For, in the territory of Arizona, at least, while a great major ity of the people will be inclined to vote for the rejection of the coQstitu- tion, they will be called upon to vote for republicans or democrats for gov ernor, state officers. a legislature, dis trict and supreme judges. and mem bers of congress, and it-may be taken for granted that no voters will stay away from the polls or refrain from voting for one ticket or the other.