Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1905-03-15
The Question of Joint
 Statehood.
Governor Kibbey Sent Message to The Legislature Recommending That a Special Election be Held to Convince Congress of Our Desires.

Governor Kibbey has sent the fol lowing message to the legislature, which is self explanatory:
 Office of the Governor,
 Phoenix, Ariz., March 10, 1905, To the Council and House of Repre-
 sentatives of the Twenty-third Leg
 islative Assembly of Arizona.
 Gentlemen: It is matter of such general information that I need not more than suggest to you the course of certain proposed congressional leg islation providing for the admission to the union cf the two territories of New Mexico and Arizona, the bill to that end having failed with the lapse of the recent session of the congress. Nor need 1 more than suggest to you that it is we'll understood that it is the intention of those who favor that legis lation to propose it again at the next session, and that it will require the most earnest and persistent efforts of the people of Arizona as we'll as her friends outside of Arizona to avert the danger that threatens our autono my.
 It is not necessary for me here to enter into any discussion of this ques- tion. The sentiment of our people is too we'll known amongst ourselves as being practically unanimous against any legislation having for it's object the proposed jointure of the two terri tories as one state, to call for any ar gument from me to you, or from you to our people. It never has been dispute question amongst ourselves, nor one upon which there was mater ial division of sentiment.
 The right of petition, or of protest, its correlative, by the American peo- pie to congress is an unquestioned one at this day. To meet the danger which confronts us. about the only means we have is decisive and com pletely authentic expression of our protest.
 am led to believe that there is prevalent among the senators and members of the house of representa- tives of the national congress a misun- derstanding or want of real knowledge of the actual sentiment of our people. | It is true that we have addressed to congress innumerable petitions signed by individual citizens; and resolu- tions expressive of our wishes, adopt ed by both public bodies and private associations, all so far as l am advised earnestly protesting against any legis- lation making possible the proposed jointure, and specifically against the rassage of what is currently known as the Hamilton bill pending at the last session.
 Yet it was urged, and, am advised, with some efficacy, that those expres sions were not really representative; that they were not authorized nor were they authentic, and that they were not the expression of the whole people.
 In view of these facts, and of the danger that will, l fear, inevitably again soon beset us, l hereby respect fully recommend to you that you en- act law directing the calling and authorizing the holding of special election, at which the people of this territory may emphatically, decisive ly, definitely and conclusively convey to congress the sentiment of the peo- pie of Arizona upon that subject, so that the que ;tion of our wishes can never again arise.
 l have had prepared by the attorney general a bill for an act embodying this recommendation, which herewith submit to you for your consideration. The bill fixes the date of the proposed election as the - day of November, 1905. It might seem to you if the re- commeudation in general meets your approval, wiser to fix an earlier date, as it is possible that congress may be called to convene before the time fixed by law for the beginning of the regu- lar session, Respectfully, (Signedl Joseph H. Kibbey,
 Governor.