Tombstone epitaph., 1906-10-21
jointist Harransue
 At Opera House

The joint statehood meeting last evening was fairly well attended, but the reception rendered the speakers
 was lacking in enthusiasm and ap-
 plause which even the gifted Thomas
 Fitch could not inspire. The three
 giant" advocates were lonesome
 not a friend of the cause being with | them on the stage to introduce the | spellbinders and they were compelled ] to launch out, plainly embarrassed, to unload their tale of woe, unattended.
 Two pictures of Mark smith, which
 were in the hall during the last con
 vention, were still in plain view of the
 audience, who admired the excellent
 likeness of the democratic champion
 and iurtive glances of the speakers
 bringing forth a scowl but maintain
 ing Jiscr,et silence.
 Col. Thomas Fitch was the first speaker. He arose from the funeral
 stiffness about him ssd began his re-
 marks by appologizing for his famous flop of less than two months ago, { when in an interview he aligned him. ' self on the side of the people. He at
 t ibuted it to his credulity and felt the sting of the parallel of his double = utterances. The aged speaker was V obliged to read his speech, losing {. much of its force and effect. It was
 a defamation of the trusts in genera and Arizona corporations in particu- l. lar. He urged jointure because noth . ing else could be secured at the hand, :, of the present administration. H. N pleaded illness and left the hall to g, = to his room, leaving General Aims - worth, the joint statehood delegate, t. |, follow. The general launched into
 statistical argument, having a tabl II laden with text books. almanacs, am d census figures to juggle with. H n cited the number of residents iron
 various states now in both territorie:
 but carefully avoided reference to tn Il number of Mexican population il s, our sister territory and their superio n numerical strength to control tn
 destinies of the entire state. The nancial system of New Mexico Wa 'S exalted and arrayed against the Ari le zona funding debt, but neglected {
 include the total county indebtedne:
 of New Mexico, which easily over
 shadows Arizona's debt. The rate ( r. interest was dwelt upon, but tt ,d speaker studiously avoided referene to the last issue of Arizona bonds no ie bearing per cent-sn evidence { Ut Arizona credit not approachable | Is our neighbor. The distribution the school moneys was touched upo y and the presentation of general com ts parative conditions were contradi' ct I tory, as were some of the statement misunderstood. He took a fling . all Arizona corporations, which vel pictured as merciless and rapsciou Is with tax lodging tactics reduced to d, science, but his rhetoric did not d 10 vert the fact that with joint state q hood all the state officers and electe = officials, including both senators an I- congressman, would come from Ne h Mexico, where the ratio of votes is to Arizona's 4. Neither did it con vince Arizonans that it will be pleas 's ing :o cit by and permit New Mezio - to distribute the public revenues " public buildings and patronage l. !, suit herself, while the treasure terri ' tory pays the taxes as against tax $ able value of per cent in New Mexico = The prospect of dancing to New Mex
 ico music is not SO harmonious, anc
 Arizonans rebell.
 General Ainsworth was followed by |, Colonel Worseiey of Tucson who
 ! noting that the audience was dwind. 5 ling, made g brief talk and insisted 1 that the New Mexicans were needed
 to help regulate Arizona affairs.
 The meeting adjourned without
 any manifestation of enthusiasm.