Arizona republican., 1908-09-12
PHoENIx, ARIZONA, SEPT. 12, 1908.
MAINTAIN THE EQUILIBRIUM.

It would be well to take a common
 sense view of the situation presented
 in the territorial political campaign
 While the parties call themselves re-
 publican and democratic there is not
 a party principle or party issue in volved. There is nothing that Ari-
 zona voters can do that would in the slightest degree affect the questions of the tariff, the trusts, the guaranty of bank deposits or any of the other issues which have been raised be- tween the democratic and the repub- lican parties. These questions can serve no other purpose in the terri torial campaign than to excite party feeling.
 The only thing we have to consider is the selection of a delegate to con- gress who in one way or another will be the most useful to us. In that we are all equally interested democrats and republicans alike. There are many things a delegate may accomplish and the capability of either Mir Cameron or MT. Smith for accomplishing them is a matter con corning which voters may honestly differ.
 But there is one thing about which we think there can be no difference of opinion and that is the greater in fluence of MT. Cameron in the busi- ness of securing statehood provided influence is needed. The question then presents itself, is it likely that influence will be needed?
 Both the national conventions have recommended the admission of the territories to statehood. We some times carelessly say they have pledged their parties to statehood, when in fact national conventions have no such power.
 We have reason to believe though that the recommendation of the re- publican convention will be carried out In the nature of things it will be impossible for the democratic party to act favorably upon the rec ommendation of its convention, either at the approaching short session of congress or in either session of the succeeding. congress. So, however well disposed the democratic party may be disposed to us in respect to statehood, and it is well disposed, we can not look to it to give us i'm mediate" statehood or any statehood within two years. Even the election of Bryan would not improve the statehood situation.
 Our hope in the recommendation of the republican convention does not rest on the words of the statehood plank but on the fact that it was adopted only after many members of the convention, such as MT. Payne of New York, and other congression- al leaders had privately declared that | their objections to the admission of | the territories had been removed | Moreover, there was a growing dis position to be rid of the vexing ter l ritorial question forever, and it seem- ed that it could be done without po- fitical disadvantage to either party, | for one of the territories, New Mexi-
  republican state while Arizona, it | was thought, would become a demo- fl cratic state. That we say, was the understanding of the men who make states, the republican leaders in con- Il gress. But a thing is very likely to happen next November to disturb this It is confidently be- lieved by the democrats and feared by the republicans of New Mexico. that our sister territory will reverse her politics this fall. There are two causes. One is the divided condition of the republican party there and the other, more serious one, is the set tlement within the last two years. mostly by Texans and people of the . southern states of a strip 200 miles . long and forty to sixty miles wide . in eastern New Mexico. ' If Arizona and New Mexico should [ both show democratic majorities is : it likely that a republican congress i. would admit them at the short ses- | sion or at any other session, until $ there had been at least a restoration {. 1f the political equilibrium? Thus the duty of Arizonians who .; believe that statehood is the highest blessing a delegate can procure for ]