Graham guardian., 1911-05-19
M. A. SMITH ON DUTY
Mark Is Welcomed Back to
Washington To Fight
for Statehood

When Marcus Aurelius Smith, OF
Arizona, came into the Willard cor
.idor there was the joy OF greeting
me long absent, one much missed
rom old familiar scenes. For had
,ot the Hon. Marcus Aurelius, called
Mark for short, labored eighteen
ong wears as delegate in Congress
10 make Arizona a State? And now
when Statehood seems near at hano
what wonder that those who wept |
when he wept over hope deferred,
sang songs of victory when he
warbled for joy, rejoiced the more
to see Mark come upon the scene
the same old Mark, only more SO
and in fine fettle for the windup.
No one could think OF Marx
Smiths arrival without thinking
also of Statehood for Arizona, and
that the Arizona star in the nag
was almost stitched in. There was
immediate congratulations OF the
Arizona leader that his great hight
while he was an actual member OF
Congress prevented the calamity OF
admitting Arizona and New Mexico
as one State. The return OF Smith
recalls his day and night confilct
with those who tried to unite the
TERRITORIES. 1t was a time OF dan
per to Arizona, and Smith did his
work well. And what will be his
reward? He is too modest, having
been born in Kentucky, to tell that
he would like to be one of the first
1.-TWO senator's, but that is the honor
| his friends at home and here want
him to win. Mark Smith entered
congress twenty wears ago in the
middle of Grover Cleveland's flrst
administration. John G. Carlisle
was Speaker of the House, and there
was really quite democratic at
|, mosphere at both ends of the Ave
, nue.. !,
At nine elections Mark Smith wa
!, chosen by Arizona to be her voteles
member of Congress, but even II NJ
| could not vote he could guide tn
r votes of others when Arizona wa
, interested. While the Hon. Mari
E is not SO old that he is inclined t
he reminiscent, he connot forge
! that as a young man he grew up ur
slder Sunset Cox, Sam j. Randall
r Roger @. Mills, of Texas; Wilson, q
/ West Virginia; Senators Blackbur
: and Beck, of Kentucky; Vest, DAME
a and Wade Hampton. also Butler,
!. South Carolina. These names recu
is to Smith and other democrats Wh
" served with them in House or Ser
,e ate. Il am here to modestly q
: what | can for Statehood. ! kno
IT. Arizona deserves Statehood and d
serves it now. While delegate
Congress / kept in view the even
full admission of Arizona as Stat
and was anxious to see her con
. into the Union without discord
y y rancor. My long service in 20
ly gress even as q modest delega
- y gave me opportunity to study al
" learn all that was good and best +
.. % new State, and please recall tn
81 many new States CAME in duril
my congressional service.
a. II am not here to give any ord
~ or insist on how Statehood shall
81 brought about, but | am not
ne overwhelmed with modesty that
ay cannot indicate some things tt
ought not to be done, along WI
'o' telling what would be best for
|. future happiness of new Sta
.ne We know out in Arizona that OF
IGN N:S is bound to be a great comm'
~ ~ wealth, and we want to enter
~, '.,, Union strictly on the level W
;. other great States. | have not be
'u' in Washington long, and it is
e', first visit since our dear old frie
jug Champ Clark, has been made Spe
ei- er. ! have something more t!
the Joy of q democrat in see
rs. Champ with the gavel, as we W
students in college. Transylvania!
Kentucky, and we imbibed wisd
the at the same fount of learning.
SIT, Away out in Arizona we +
the and rejoiced not alone over Chan
u election as Speaker, for we kl
'ent that was certain, but we also W
IN ! made glad that he had taken /
lteo in way to cheer every democr
me soul on the map. That is the re
rom of his Kentucky schooling and
Western bringing up. Not only
any we rejoice over the start made
en- Speaker Clark, but l can be forg
man little elation in my own soul
ack- the advancement of many old
10 srsssiopal comrades who VOL
ndid faithfully by nay side; voted ii
fully, too, while ! didn't vote,
are now, bless you, it is good to
dlles them chairmen of the big II
committees, and high up in d
the business for tke nation. lmust
fess to some emotion as MI