Bisbee daily review., 1908-10-10
B pEoPLE's FORUM 6

Editor Review:
 note that almost every speaker and writer among the Republicans of Ari- zona intimates. or openly states, that the promise of statehood for Arizona, so far as Mir. Roosevelt and the Re publican party were concerned, was given with an implied string to it, and that they really meant: We ars In favor of statehood for Arizona and New Mexico as separate states-pro- yid1ng they return safely Republican maJorities at the ensuing election"
 Now, l, for one, say, if they desire to make that the issue of this conpaign in Arizona, let them do it if they dare And l have enough confidence in the sturdy, free manhood of the voters of Arizona to feel certain that the offer Of statehood-with so insulting a string to twill be turned down by an even larger majority than was the odious Joint statehood measure championed by the same party and people.
 upon what grounds do we seek statehood? Is it because we give a majority in favor of any particular party, or is it for the reason that, be- cause of our population, because of our wealth, because of our progressiveness, because of our intelIigence-because for every reason for which any terri tory was ever admitted to the siste,. hood of states-saye for dishonest politics-we are entitled to statehood? :? We ask for it solely because of those reasons, and do not believe any true Alizonan, irrespective of party. would desire to accept statehood under such humiliating conditions as that we should give a majority in favor of any party or any candidate under the sun.
 Shame on the man who dares to say, or even intimate. that the great Re publican party and their honored leader, Roosevelt. would give an un- qualified promise of statehood for Ari- zcna and New Mexico. and then threaten to forfeit their plighted word if we do not vote according to their desiresi
 note that in your report of Mir Morrisons attempt to coerce the voters of Bisbee. that his implied threat was received in silence, and I think it most proper that it should nave been so. I think that every true American in his audience should have bsen silent in shame and humiliation The only fitting sound that I can conjure up to follow such a threat would be the splash of the ancient egg. placed where it would do the most good by the yengeful hand of some honest-minded Republican who realized that his party and his partys leaders were being charged with meditating basest and foulest perfidy to Arizona
 l would like to ask Mir. Morrison how long an agent of any of our large corporations would escape arrest for attempted coercion of voters if he charging his men if they did not vote according to his dictation as NIT. Nor rison did of probable party perfidy if Arizona did not vote to suit them2 Of the two crimes I think the latter the most 1lainous, as the corporation agents threat would only concern the individual laborers. while Mir. Morri- son would deprive the entire common wealth of Arizona of a voice in the councils of the nation, to which it is not only entitled by every right, but which it was also unequivocally prom ised by the party in their platform. Mir. Morrison gave some advice to Democrats: Be wise!" I wish to offer this advice to Republicans: Be honest and rebuke such threatened perfidy by giving Mark Smith the largest majority ever received by delegate fom Arizona.
 pInrErIVAv