New-York tribune., 1905-02-22
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
ARIZONA INDEPENDENT STATEHOOD.
People Would Prefer Territorial Government
to Union with New-Mexieo.
the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Taking notice OF the debates in Congress and
newspaper comment respecting the creating of new
States from the four Southwestern Territories I
observe an apparent tendency to reach conclusions
hastily and without information or upon misinfor-
nation.
The foregoing IS particularly true with reference
to Arizona and New-Mexico. No Intelligent person
can visit these two Territories and become IA
miar with conditions in each and fail fully 10 ap-
preState their widely divergent interests and lines
Of present and future development There is no
community of interest between the two Territories;
there no similarity OF population or of natural
resources; there is scarcely common history
large proportion OF the Inhabitants of Arizona were
born in the Middle West or East; they have taken
TO this Territory Eastern ideas and aggresSivenes5
in business and affairs: they built up the
Territory wonderfully in tie past decade; they havs
constructed railroads, developed mines reclaimed
arid areas and built towns To the Eastern vis-
itor Arizona no longer presents the aspect OF
series of frontier settlements the and cities
are substantially built and well governed;
there is less of awlessness in Arizona for the pop
ulation than In New-York City or Chicago; the
public school system IS thoroughly wall organized
and efficient; in the cities and large towns the
school buildings compare favorably with those of
more populous and wealthier communities in the
East. The churchgoing population represents
larger proportion of the entire community than
does the average through the country The
bench and bar of the Territory compare favorably
with those OF the States. The population is homo
geneous. law-abiding, energetic and progressive,
and along lines that make for the perpetuty and
expansion of distinctiveiy American institutions.
in Arizona and the Latin-Indi type has left lit
tle impress the general character. speech and
morals of the nhabitants.
I am largely Interested in the business future OF
Arizona Territory, and have general acquaintance
among its representative citizens I was Ave
months OF the first half OF last year IN the South
hood combined with New-Nexico is nor onlI. dis
tasteful TO the people OF Arizona but Sincerely
believe Il would be disastrous to their most i'm
portant business Interests those people would
rather remain they are with a territorial form
OF government than be yoked UP with the III
ed population OF New-Mexico.
Client to justify Independent Statehood and result
ant self-government There is danger OF maxi
State; the conditions are totally different
Arizona has soil as fertile of the Valley OF
make them blossom as gardens the reclamation
projects that under way or in contemplation
MI; "Heu carried OUT make productive many hum
dreos OF thousandS or acres now idle. and without
present income value. The mineral resources of
ne TerT.1,tory are greater than any like area on
made toward their more complete developnen{
The railroad lines are being extended: the per-
sstent Couey mas found its way 10 the cities. and
as In the East, is contributing to extend their
boundaries The industries OF the Territory are
becoming more varied, and being permanently
established; its future prosperity is not dependent
upon any single line OF natural production or OF
INDUSTRY; II IS having continuous healthy growth
and is destined TO take a proud place among the
coILnaonWealths comprising our country
The aspirations of the citizens OF Arizona should
not be unreasonably checked but on the contrary ~
should be encouraged and their loyalty and con
structive energy should be rewarded in coTfory,,-
with the theory OF Constitution. and as like
loyal effort by others has been rewarded else
These good people should have independent state
mood and in taking such action Congress will make
no mistake, and there be no valid objection on
'A0 part OF any wen in1orm99 AmerlSan paT n ,o
Springfield, Mass. Feb. 70 1895 O>'o