Arizona republican., 1905-03-11
PHOENIX, .ARIz., MARCH II. 1905
The Proposed Special Election.

In his message to the legislature yes terday Governor Kibbey recommended the most effective means yet suggested for defeating the joint statehood scheme After pointing out that the danger is as imminent now as before. the advocates of the measure merely awaiting the converting of the Fifty ninth congress in order to begin the fight with renewed determination. the governor suggested that the legislature pass a bill empowering and directing the executive to call special election at which the people of Arizona may vote yes or mo" on the question of jointure with New Mexico. The rec omfnendation met the instant and un- qualified approval of the house of rep resentatives. all rules being suspended and the bill passed almost immediately after the message and the accompany ing draft of the proposed measure had been received The council was not in session, or doubtless that body would have acted with the same promptness and unanimity as the house.
 The reasons why a special election should be held in order to give the cleo tors of this territory an opportunity to express themselves in an unmistak- able manner on the joint statehood question are clearly set forth in the message. which We print in full else where in this issue. Although there Is. in each house of congress. a large ele- nent which is uncompromisingly in fa- yor of joining Arizona and New Mex ico together. there is still another ele- ment which does not wish to enact legislation on the subject contrary to the wishes of the people whose inter- ests are directly Involved. The sena- tors comprising this latter element vot- ed according to the conclusions they reached after trying to ascertain in a measure what position the masses in Arizona had really taken on the ques- tiOn- Many senators were thoroughly convinced that the Hamilton bill was obnoxious to the citizens of Arizona, and voted against the bill. Others were led to vote for 1t by persistent assur- ances that the protests from this ter ritory did not in fact, represent public opinion, and that joint statehood had a large following. Delegate Rodey of New Mexico was especially active and positive in making such assurances.
 Why not, then, once for all. enlight eti congress beyond question as to where the people of Arizona stand? In no other way than by special election can the voice of this territory be ex- pressed beyond dispute. Memorials and resolutions from the legislature. resolutions from boards of trade and other bodies of citizens, and, letters and telegrams from individuals. all fall short of conveying absolute proof of public sentiment. so far as the states men at Washington are concerned, all belt the residents of this territory know that there is substantially nof division of opinion among our people-practi cally all Aare opposed to union with New Mexico.
 A special election, free from entan- giement with other issues. will give the voters Of Arizona an opportunity to bury joint statehood under mountain of ballots. It is not conceivable that any citizen will neglect to go to the polls and give expression to his views on a subject which concerns him so directly. Nor is it to be believed that the solemn protest of a whole people at the ballot box will be disregarded by congress.
 Governor Kfbbey has suggested. un- questionably. the one method whereby the danger which confronts this terri tory may be certainly averted.