Bisbee daily review., 1907-10-09
MAKING STATEHOOD
AN ISSUE.

The report is given out by Governor
Curry of New Mexico that the presi-
dent is in favor OF single statehood for
New Mexico and will assist the move
ment. This means that New Mexico
wifi have statehood, and, further, that
i Arizona will not be kept out long UNI
less poor judgment causes certain par
ties TO agitate the question of immedi-
ate statehood for Arizona. The true
friends of the territory will be willing
10 wait a while and not endanger flu
ture hopes by unwise activity at this
time.-Arizona Gazette.
The Gazette is the recognized organ
of both the national and territorial
administrations. When those who are
recognized as republican administra-
ton leaders in Arizona say thumbs
up" or thumbs down" they can i'm
plicitly rely on obeyance from the Ga
zette. Whether or not the above was
inspired by the political leaders of the
present territorial administration is
not positively known yet, but it is in
line with recent expressions of Gov
ernor Kibbey on the question of state
hood. If this is to be the position of
the republicans of Arizona in regard
TO statehood for this territory then
this question will be paramount in
the next campaign.
Heretofore the people of Arizona
have been practical unit on the ques-
ton of statehood for the territory; all
have been agreed for many years that
Arizona is entitled to admission as a
state in the union and all being agreed
that it is desirable to have a state
government substituted for the pres
ent condition of dependency on Wash
ington for all territorial official life.
Last year when the joint statehood
bill threatened to destroy our political
existence and make Arizona a domi-
mated part of new state which
would have been ruled and dominated
by New Mexicans, Arizonans, demo
Gratis and republicans, were almost a
unit in opposition to joint statehood. |
Now it seems that republicans, at
least those who are in close touch !
with the federal administration are
getting ready to oppose the urging of
the admission Of Arizona as a state |
at the present time.
President Roosevelt is quoted as
saying he will help New sAiexico in an
effort for single statehood during the |
next congress; he is on record as say
ing that he accepts the voice of Ari-
iona in its opposition TO joint state
hood and that he will no longer advo-
cate that measure.
II New Mexico is to be admitted as
a state during the next congress there
is no reason why Arizona should not
be admitted at the same time. This
territory possesses every qualification
for statehood which could be urged for
New Mexico and more Why should
the people remain silent now when
our neighbor territory is. making prep
arations to again ask for admission
to the union? How can the cause of
statehood be injured by continually
demanding our Just rights.
In the year 1900 the republican, par
ty in national convention declared for
the early admission of Oklahoma. Arr
IONA and New Mexico as states. but
now We see the Gazette and few
republicans. In this territory alarmed
about Arizona hurting herself by ask
ing that the pledge made eight years
ago be kept now.
If the Gazette and the administra-
ton republicans in Arizona desire te
80 into the next campaign opposing
the agitation Of the statehood question
at the present time the democrats
could ask for nothing better. It VIII
be the first real statehood Issue ever
presented to our people and the ma
jority in favor al never-ceasing work
for statehood win be almost equal to
that gwen against joint statehood last
year