Arizona republican., 1907-10-27
PHOENIX ARIZ.. OCT. %. 1907.
THE EXPECTED.


terday. stating that President Roose-
welt had come out for the admission OF
Arizona as a single state, Will not be
the signal for the unbridled hilarity
which would have followed If the an
nouncement had come in other cir
cumstances. 1t will hardly cause rip
pie OF interest anywhere in the terri
tory.
In fact. II had been anticipated. The
Republican on October u, in an ed
itorial. in the following language. pre-
pared its readers for the news which
came exactly two weeks later
is it not probable that Governor
Kibbey has been sent for to become the
vehicle for similar good news for
Arizona? Now that the president has
broken. in the case OF New Mexico. the
icy exterior which he has hitherto pre-
scented to all single statehood schemes,
We may not be unreasonably hopeful
that he is about to give his consent
to the admission Of Arizona But we
must keep our hope within bounds.
The presidents consent Is not admis-
sion any more than the presidents de-
cree two years ago was jointure. There
is yet the objection of eastern con-
gressmen to ocercome. OF the stern
ness OF that objection the president was
so well aware. that he doubtless rea-
liZed that he was sacrificing nothing
when he gave his endorsement to New
Mexico's ambitions. With equal and
even greater safety. he may bestow
his blessing upon Us II can do no
harm beyond filling us with false
hopes, but that harm would be offset
by making us feel good for season.
season long enough to embrace the
period within which delegates to the
national republican convention are To
be chosen"
The Republican at that time claimed
no prescience regarding the purpose
of the president. The whole trend Of
events was so very transparent that
the blindest might have seen through
and beyond the purpose in sending for
Governor Kibbey TO meet the president
at Vicksburg.
II will also be recalled by the read
ers OF The Republican that on the
morning following the departure Of
Mr.. Hitchcock from Phoenix last sum-
mer this paper predicted the presi-
dents early change Of attitude with
respect to joint statehood. In that
case however, We had some advance
information. We had it in fact, In
advance Of the president. but we had
very clear idea as to what he would
do when he was put in possession of
it.
The announcement of yesterday
shows that he has taken the second
expected step. both in the direction OF
the republican voters of this territory
who will have the choosing OF six del
egates to the next national convention.
The president II will be observed,
does not promise us statehood at once
not even during the present congress.
So. then, the earliest we could become
the beneficiaries of his revised inten-
tions toward US VIII be two years from
next winter. Why then, has the pres
ident sought at this early date to in
flame a hope which being necessarily
soIlong deferred, might make the
heart sick? What purpose could he
have in sending for Governor Kibbey
to make a journey half way across
the continent to be told that the pres
ident will do what he can for Arizona
two years hence?
1t is not forgotten throughout this |
territory that in the statehood clause
of his message two years ago. Mr.. |
Roosevelt declared that the unfitness |
of the territory for single statehood |
was unbeatable and that the propriety |
OF jointure was beyond any necessary |
discussion. We remember that |
throughout the long struggle in con-
gress our representatives were told
that it must be jointure or nothing; |
that. in a letter TO DIR. Mark Rodgers Of
Tucson only year ago. the president |
declared that If jointure were not ac-
cepted Arizona would remain a terri
tory for at least twenty-five years.
We may concede that the president |
was honest when he disputed so vigor-
ously our claims to single statehood.
We may believe that he Is sincere now |
in his newly announced view OF our \
fitness. If so, We can depend upon his
powerful aid when the opportune mo-
ment comes. At any rate, we may |
possess our souls in patience. and with
out anxious or pleasurable excitement, 4
until that moment comes. In the 1
meantime. there is no necessity of |
bringing the statehood question in l
TO politics next summer at the time Of
choosing delegates to the republican