Bisbee daily review., 1905-12-28
WILL IT BE DONE?

Notwithstanding the statements to the effect that the joint statehood bill was to be rushed through the House of the Fifty-ninth Congress before the holidays, it went over for hearing in the House until some time in Janu- ary. The people of Arizona have req son for congratulating themselves on the sentiment which has been eX- posed in Congress already on the ques- ton of joint statehood for New Mex ico and Arizona, and certainly the hope of Arizona should be strength ened by the showing made by the caucus before adjournment for purpose of considering statehood during the coming session. At that caucus there were 65 opposed to the placing of Ari- zona and New Mexico into one state and no favorable to the measure. This shows a majority of the Repub- licans favorable to the Hamilton bill, but it also shows a very strong oppo- sition to the measure in Washington.
 In the Senate it is believed there will be a clear majority favorable to the prayer of the people of Arizona that they be left under the present territorial . government indefinitely rather than to be joined into Ia state with New Mexico.
 It is not believed that enough Uni ted States Senators can be found who will insist on forcing Arizona into a condition Of government which they abhor; 1t is not believed that a ma jority of the Senate will agree to measure which is so manifestly un- just.
 Arizona was reclaimed from a des ert and savage state by people who have builded here 8 territorial gov ernment highly creditable to their in teIHgence and progressive spirit. Pub lie institutions have been reared and put in successful operation; a public school system has been adopted and put in operation which has been praised by all who have come here from the old states and become ac- quainted with it; modern school buildings have been erected in every city and town where the highest talent is employed in the education of the youth of the territory; the Austral- | Ian ballot system was adopted sev- eraI years ago, to the end that every citizen could exercise the elective ' franchise as he saw fit and away from any possible intimidating or coerciye influence. Government has been sig nally free from any sign of malfeas- ance or scandal in this territory, and while we have sometimes had exciting political campaigns there has never been in evidence any fraudulent prac- tices in election. After heated cam paigns all submit gracefully without any charge of fraud. Men have been defeated by a few votes and never raised a question as to the methods | employed Political freedom is held to be sacred and factional party diff ! ferences are seldom heard of
 Thus have the people of Arizona pre- pared a government in the hope that some day the national government would consider the territory to be qualified for statehood and admit it 10 the Union as other states have been admitted. If Arizona is joined with New Mexico as a state it will mean that Arizona will be governed in the future by a people who have never had part or parcel in the creation of the splendid governmental institu- tions of Arizona Who will say what will be the school law to be enforced in Arizona after jointure has been ac- complished? Who will say what our election laws will be under joint state hood2 Arizona has the modern Aus tralian election law now, while the elections in New Mexico make no pre- tense of guarding the secrecy of the ballot, and the large Mexican vote of that territory is marched to the polls