Arizona republican., 1908-11-28
PHoENIx. ARIZONA, NOV. 2S, 1908
WE MIGHT AS WELL COME IN.

WE MIGHT AS WELL COME IN.
 Anything on the subject of state hood just now is of interest to Ari- zonians. The following from the Boston Transcript, representing a sec tion of the country which has hitherto not been favorable to admission, is of more than ordinary interest, though the Transcript offers one suggestion which will not be favorably received in this territory:
 Chief Justice Kent of Phoenix, Ariz., who happens to be a son of the fam Ous governor of Maine, whose name survives in campaign versification, has received a letter from President Roosevelt, saying that he will urge in his coming message the admission of Arizona and New Mexico as sep arate states, and will also assist Gov ernor Kibbey in preparing the en- abling act. This was expected. Both national party platforms declared last summer for the admission of these territories. After the defeat by pop ular referendum of the plan for weld ing them, President Roosevelt an- nounced that he would make no fur ther attempt in that direction, and so nothing remains but to admit them as separate states. Conservative peo- pie would prefer to see this delayed until the communities are better equipped for statehood, but this would practically amount to little. Since their admission is inevitable, neither party likes to make itself unpopular by fruitless resistance.
 The republican leaders have made up their minds that they might just as well look pleasant about these ac- sessions to the union as to do any thing else. It is doubtful if they could prevent admission in any long session of congress. All the demo- crats will vote to admit Arizona and New Mexico as separate states; the republicans of the Rocky Mountain region always have a sympathetic feeling for other communities simi- larly situated; large investment in terests in the east also have a rela- tiOn to the project, sometimes count ing for statehood and sometimes against it, but the UpshOt has been some eastern statehood support, not ably from the Pennsylvanians. These factors are sufficient to carry the day, and President Roosevelt realizes it.
 The admission of Arizona and New Mexico will clean up the territorial system in the continental part of our republic, bringing the number of states here up to forty eight, where it will in all probability remain for the centuries. This number permits the division of the senate into equal thirds. a sentimental consideration not without value. It leaves a certain geographical symmetry in the south west corner of the country, the only point in the union where four states will come together. Two small changes should be made now or never. The name New Mexico ought to be changed to Montezuma or some other single word which does not perpet- tate the traditions of a foreign power. That part of Arizona to the north west of the Grand Canyon should be annexed to Utah, with which it can have some association. In the event of it's ever becoming peopled, the gash through the earth, a mile deep and fourteen miles wide, would make a rather effective barrier to transporta- tion. People in the part of Arizona beyond the canyon would it harder to get to Tucson than to the capital Of almost any other neighbOring state. With these char ges the terri tories might as well come in. and a long and wearisome perplexity be terminated.
 But why should the people north of the Grand Canyon want to go to Tucson, anyway? The editor of the Transcript evidently has neglected this territory since before the capital was moved from Tucson to Prescott and thence to Phoenix. He only re- calls that as a member of the pri- mary geography class he used to sing:
 "Arizony Tuck-son on the Santy Crooz river"
 No wonder New England did not know we were ready for admission.
 The air of gloom and desnOndencv