Arizona republican., 1905-12-06
The Presidential Stroke.


 of Arizona and New Mexico as one state has not come to The Republican as a surprise, though there is an un- reasonable bluntness in it which was not expected. This paper has long been aware that the president favored joint statehood, if indeed he was not the first to suggest it as a solution of the vexing statehood prob lem.
 Nearly two years ago former dele gate Rodey, of New Mexico, made the public statement that President Roosevelt told him that he was in favor of jointure and this statement though repeatedly made was never denied by the presi- dent or by any one qualified to speak for him. The question was brought up at a territorial convention held at Tucson for the purpose of selecting delegates to the republican national convention of 1904. Governor Brodie, a member of the convention de- nied that those were the views of the president, and he sent telegram to him requesting him to support the de- nial That telegram was never an swered
 In however high respect the presi- dent may be held, his opinions on the subject of statehood will be treated here with no respect at all, nor will his ire quent advocacy of the square deaf' so often reiterated as to have become commonplace, be understood to have any application to Arizona.
 It cannot be urged by his friends in this part of the world that his recom mendation is the expression of an hon. est but mistaken opinion. The presi- dent has had the subject laid before him by impartial investigators of con- ditions in the territory, by men wlo had no material interest in Arizona and they left him with the conclusion that the president had been impressed with the truth of their reports. Be- sides, if this information had not been brought to him it might have been presumed that he would have sought the fullest knowledge of conditions before launching that characteristically dictatorial recommendation for the commission of the most fragrant poi tical outrage ever attempted or pro- posed in this country.
 Congress, according to the terms of the recommendation of President Roosevelt is relieved of the task of de- liberation. There is" says he. mo Justification for further delay and the advisability of making the four ter ritories into two states has been clear ly established.
 By whom, we may ask? By Bev- eridge. whose report was the most dis honestly framed document ever pre- scented to congress? By the argu- ments of Beveridge, whose remarks on the omnibus bill and the Hamilton bill were characterized by rancor and bit terness toward the territories? All of the many recommendations, save this one, of the presidents unusually vo1umi- nous message, are followed by reasons more or less prolix, for their making. But no reason is assigned for this one except Nothing has taken up more time in cor gress during the past few years than the question as to the statehood to be granted to the four territories"
 The reasoning of MT. Roosevelt is lacking in that enforced justice of the unjust judge, who righted the wrongs of the importunate widow: "Yet be- cause this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her. lest by her continual com ing she weary me-" President Roosevelt wearied by the importunate appeal of Arizona for the rights of statehood proposes to prevent a repetition of that appeal for all time by the con- signment of the territory to perpetual servitude and by blasting the hopes forever of those who for a generation have looked hopefully forward to in- dependent statehood
 There are no obligations on us," says MT. Roosevelt in regard to any claims which the rights of the terri loTleS may nave upon lHe respect or himself and the congress. That is true, there are no binding constitu- tional obligations but there is a cer- tain morality which the president, habitual moralizer as he is, has quite overlooked. Since his incumbency he has with a frequency amounting to a habit been engaging in duties whose performance was not forced upon him by any legal obligation and in none of them have right and justice been more deeply involved than in that neg lected duty of saving this territory from the ruin of jointure or of at least in keeping h.s hands off.
 We have been authoritatively inform ad hat ha rraQidar,t hn had no