Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1908-10-14
Voice of the Coast Press

is the selection Of q delegate 10 con.
grcss who in one way or another will
be the most useful 10 us. In that us
are all equally interested Democrats
and Republicans alike. There are many
things delegate may accomplish and
the capnbility of either Mr. Cameros
or Mr.. Smith for accomplishing them
il . matter concerning which voters
may honestly differ.
Iiut tnerc is one thing about which
We think there can be- no difference Of
opinion and that is the greater innu-
ence Of Mr. Cameron in the business
of securing statehood provided inau.
encc is needed. The question then pre-.
scnis itself. is il likely that influence
will be needed
recommended be admission Of the
territories 10 statehood. We some
times earelessly say they have pledged
their parties TO statehood, when in fact
national conventions have no such
power.
We have reason 10 believe though
that the recommendation of the Re-
publican convention will be- carried
out. In the nature of things IL will ~
impossible for the Democratic party to
act fayorably upon the recommended
ton 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
10 us in respect to statehood, and it a.
well disposed. We cannot look TO il 10
give US Immediate statehood or any
statehood within two years. Even the
election Of Bryan would no, improve
the statehood question.
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 a. Mr.. Payne OF
New York. and other congressional!
leaders had privately declared that
their objections to the admission Of
the territories had been removed. More.
over, there was growing disposition
10 be rid of the vexing territorial ques-
,ion forever, and IL seemed that IL
could be done without political disad'
vantage 20 either party, for one OF the
territories, New Mexico, II was- be-
lieved would be safe Republican
state. while Arizona, IL WAS thought,
would become a Democratic state. That
W. say, was the understanding Of tae
men who make states. the Republican
leaders in congress. But thing is
very likely TO happen next November
20 disturb this understanding. II IN
confidently believed 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, IL
the settlement within the last two
years. mostly 10y Texans and people OF
the southern states. of strip zoo
miles long and forty to sixty miles
wide in eastern New Mexico.
II Arizona and New Mexico should
both show Democratic maiorities is u
likely that Republican congress
would admit them at the short session
or at any other session, until there had
been at least restoration Of the pc
litcsl equilibrium!
Thus the duty of AriZonans who bo
hevc that statehood is the highes.
blessing u delegate can procure TO
them becomes plain. Whatever New
Mexico may do let Arizona by the elsf
ton Of Ralph Cameron convince uo
Republicans in congress Tint they vii
lose no advantage by the admission g.
the territories. - Arizona Republican.