The border vidette., 1911-02-25
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT.
Mulford Winsor Appeals to President Taft's Fair .Mindness to Approve
 Arizonas Constitution.
Yuma, Arizona, Feb. II. 1911.

- tuo h6 III Di tAc pCOpi0 OA oti6- ona. l ask you to give formal sPprov- al. at au early date, to the Oonstitu- ton framed in accordance with their directions and by them ratified. in order that they may. with like ap- proval by Congress, enter upon the full enjoy ment of the rights of American citizt nsbip
 Approximately eighty per cent of the people of tbis Territory have de- clared their desire for the particular form of State hood for which provision Is m de in b. Arizona Constitution. From the Tar ks of the heretofore op- posing minority have come and are coming many expressions of wish and hope that the will of the ma jority may be respected There may, with out fear of inJu tic. to any. be omit ted from the computation the iusigni- icaut few who do not favor Statehood upon any terms, or who favor it only upon conditions suited to the conven- fence of certain interests; and who do not, under any circumstances, acknow. ledge or believe that those composing the majority have any riFhts entitling them to consideration.
 It is submitted that the merits or demerits of the Arizona Constitution. as they may be viewed by tais in dividual or that one, should not enter into a determination of this question: A discussion of "debatable po,nt ts" has no place here This discussion. wig orous and thorough, has already taken place, and the perple who alone must live under the Constitution have re- gistered their decision.
 The Enabling Act providing for the admission of Arizona into the U nion of States, has been complied with. Step by Rtep it's requirements. so far az they impose conditions upon the Territory affected, have been implicitly fulfilled. There is lacking only your formal ac- tion, and that of the law making body which named the requirements, to make of Arizona a proud and glorious com ID on wealth.
 Whatever errors may have crept into this organic code. time and exper fence will disclose. Anticipating such discoveries, and recognizing the right of the people to effect such alterations as their wisdom may dictate, the simp- lest form of constitutional amendment known to any State was made what may be tertped the predominating fea- ture eff Arizona's Constitution.
 The people of Arizona have implicit confidence in your sense of faiIntss and justIce, as the chief executive of the Nation. They have not credited- they do not credit-the intimations, savoring of intimidation and coercion, and purporting to have come from the White House. which have reached them. They are deeply sensible of the earnestness with which you have urged Arizona's admission to Statehood. They are sensible of the predominating part you played in the passage of the Ena bling Act Unforgetful and grate. ful, they cannot now be made to be- lieve, except by definite adverse action. that insincere motives iDpelled you to champion their rights or that you would strain the quality of aid to great and just cause by using the power of your high office to th wart the of their honest views.
 Arlzona IS populated by @ brave and intelligent people. They do not fear the responsibilities of self government. They are eminently qualified to meet them. Environment has made them self reliant; pioneer life, pregnant with perils of desert and mountain and wood, has bred within them the cour- age and deter min ation of a great race. They are educated; they are honest; they are healthy in mind and body; they are vigorous. They are equipped have been for years equipped-to take up the duties which will devolve upon them as citizens of free and equal unit of the Union of States. They come, not with obss quiousness or fawning, not in hypocrisy or deceit. but as upright, fearless. confident peo- pie, asking that which is their just due. You, MT. President, are asked, as fair man a just judge, an impartial President of all the people-to crown, by a sin pie act, your acknowledgement and champion ship of their right to Statehood.
 In Arizona this IS not regarded as a partisan question. Involving the liberties of a considerable number of liberty loving American citizens. it is too vital and too sacred to be reduced to the level of party expediency. Just as both of the great political parties of the Nation. therefore. stand pledged to the granting of this eagerly sought liberty, so do the members of all poli- tical parties in Arizona join in the prayer that those pledges, which inn posed no conditions. named no con-