Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-05
ARIzONA'S OPPOSITION
STATEHOOD QUESTION NOW
TRANSFERRED TO THE SENATE.

The Arizona delegation which came on to
oppose union with New Mexico has sent to
each senator the following statement of its
position on the question in the statehood
bill which has passed the House and now
awaits action In the upper branch Of Con-
gress. 1t Is signed by all the members OF
the delegation:
LAS the delegates of the people of Ari-
zona coming to Washington from all sec
lions of our territory the chosen repre-
sentatives of loyal American people TIC
express their earnest and determined op-
position to the proposed union with New
Mexico, we respectfully submit the follow
Ing reasons for unalterable opposition oil
the citizens of Arizona to this unjust meas
ure, which we believe violates the very
principles of the Constitution:
"First-The opposition of at least :so per
cent of the people of Arizona, as proved py
the written protests Of nearly every social
religious, political and business organlza-
ton within our territory, and the petitions
of protest signed by many thousands OF our
citizens.
'.second-The promise by Congress in the
enabling act that the autonomy OF Arizona
should be preserved.
''Third-The- decided racial differences be-
tween the people of Arizona and q large
majority of the people Of New Mexico, VINO
are not only different in race and largely
In language but have entirely different GUS
toms laws and ideals, and would have but
little prospect of successful amaigamation
"Fourth-The radical and irreconcilible
differences in laws, legal customs and pro-
cedure of the two territories.
"Fifth-The fact of unquestioned proof
that Arizona is developing most rapidly
and substantially both in resources and
population, the permanency and high char
acter of its population and the certainty
that through the development of Its great
natural resources. and the immense beneht
to be derived from the government irrfga-
ton works now under actual construction
within its borders. that Arizona Will event.
ually reach such proportions both in re-
sources and population as will warrant
Congress in urging its admission to the
Union as an independent state.
"Sixth-A dual set of excellent pubic
buildings existing throughout both terri
tories, the value of which would be largely
destroyed by the proposed merger
"Seventh-The unwieldy size of the pro-
posed joint state. the consequent great ex-
pense in conducting a state government,
and the rugged and volcanic character OF a
large portion of the country existing be-
tween the settled communities of the two
territories.
"Eighth-The exceeding difficulty of a
proper adjustment of the debts of the two
territories, certain counties In New Mexico
being practically bankrupt and their securi-
ties at a great discount, while Arizona S
securities, territorial. county and munich
pal, are well above par and of the highest
character.
''Ninth-The objection by the people of
Arizona 95 per cent of whom are Amerl-
cans to the probability of the control OF
public affairs by people of a different race,
many of whom do not speak the Ensish
language, and who outnumber the people
of Arizona two to one, while the assessed
valuation of Arizona exceeds that of New
Mexico by over 33 1-3 per cent.
I'm view of the foregoing reasons we re-
quest that the joint statehood bill now be
fore the Senate be amended by striking
out of the bill all reference to Arizona II,
however, an expression at the polls Is
deemed desirable and necessary, we urge
that the bill be amended to provide that
before the holding of the constitutional con-
vertion, the question of joint statehood,
free from any other issue, be submitted to
the qualified voters of Arizona and New
Mexico, voting separately at special cleo
ton called for that purpose only, to be held
on the same day in both territories, and I'M
less approved by majority of the qualified
voters of each territory. no constitutional
convention for the purpose of creating a
joint state shall be held.