Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-12
UNAN|M|TY
OF EFFORT
Past Differences Of Opinion
Have Been Wiped Out
ALL ONE ON STATEHOOD
Views of Several Gentlemen
Who Believe the Election
Has Left All Arizonians
Who Favor Admission
Standing Together.

The desire for statehood has risen
above dissatisfaction with the consti-
tuition, the opposition to which was
based less upon the document itself
than upon the honest belief that il
<stood in the way of statehood.
The constitution having been rati-
fled. statehood must be secured with
it or not at all. Even those who took
the most gloomy view of the situa
ton are not now disposed to give up.
but are proceeding upon the theory
that while there is life there is
hope" Statehood will not be dead
until the constitution has been dis
approved by the president or the
congress.
The following well-known gentle
men, who did not believe the adop-
ton and the ratification of the pro-
posed constitution was expedient.
agree with The Republican that moth
ing is lost until it is lost:
Former Governor kibbey's Statement.
Ex-Governor Kibbey, being asked
as to the statehood question. said:
THE people have recorded their
verdict by ratifying the proposed con-
stitution-I regard that as conclusive
upon every citizen of the territory.
Il think every citizen in the ter
ritory should do all in his power TO
secure the approval of this constitu-
ton and our admission to the Union
as a state under it.
ANY discussion of the merits of
the constitution or propositions to
amend il otherwise than upon the
initiative of the people of Arizona
themselves is premature.
Il feel, so far as l am concerned.
as much bound to support the con-
stitution as ! would be to support a
governor. fairly elected, for instance,
whose election / had opposed. The
ultimate decision as TO what should
be the fundamental law of Arizona is
with the people of Arizona-that has
been fairly and decisively expressed,
and it seems. to me to end the dis
cussion, and leaves the duty of the
citizens plainly to support it.
1T is probably well enough known
that l opposed certain features of
the constitution. l have not yet had
reason to change my views on those
questions. But if upon trial the con-
stitution should prove to be imprac
edy by amendment by the people
themselves is complete and prompt.
If il should prove satisfactory, then
il will not. of course. need Amend
ment. In either event, the people
should be allowed to judge for them
selves. Our attention now should be
directed forward and not backward:
and that should be TO the accom-
plishment of a single purpose. state
hood"
No Time for Friction.
The following is from Dwight b.
Heard:
1t seems to me that the time has
come for every man who sincerely
wants statehood to indicate IL by
using his very best efforts TO secure
the approval by President Taft and
congress of the constitution which
has recently been approved by~a large
majority of the people of this terri
tory This is no time TO discuss
whether the constitution in every de-
tail meets our approval or not; We
want statehood. We have an oppor- |
tunity TO get ii under this constitu-
ton and there should at once be in
augurated a vigorous, organized and
intelligently directed movement. en-
tirely non-partisan in character. to |
secure this result.
When we commenced the active |
campaign against joint statehood |
many people prophesied that 1t was
impossible for us to defeat the meas |
ure We succeeded, however. and |
with the same team play and shoulder /
TO shoulder spirit, under determined |
leadership / have strong hopes that
we can induce congress and the presi- |
dent to adopt this constitution and |
secure the statehood for which we
have so long worked.
This is no time for friction among |
the friends of statehood. but the time |
to close ranks and present strong |
fighting front. There are undoubted- |
ly certain powerful interests who are
absolutely opposed to statehood. and
who viii without delay use their in
fluence in Washington; to counteract |
that influence We should have a fight |
ing squad on the firing line working /
for statehood under this constitu
ton, without delay
DWIGHT B. HEARD.
f-~..~ L.