The border vidette., 1911-04-08
SEND MARK SMITH. '
The Arizona Republican Wants
 Him in Washington.

If the people of Arizona really desire to achieve statehood through legislation at the extra session of congress, why do they not arrange to send Mark Smith to Washington? Mark Smith could accomplish something sub stantial. He would be of real help to Delegate Cameron. Mark Smith is personally known to most of the democratic members of the new house of representa- tiveS. He is on excellent terms with every republican senator and representative that served in congress when he did. He is a man of influence. His influence at Washington would be greater than that of any dozen citizens that could be sent.
 Mr. Smith would gladly work with Delegate Cameron for state | hood under the pending cOnSti- | tuition. If admission should be found impossible without making some changes in the constitution relieving the judiciary from the recall provision, for example MT Smith would have the sense and patriotism to tell sena- tors and congressman that state hood would be accepted on the best terms obtainable. He would not be found playing selfish personal game. He would not be found LuSy boosting the scheme of Bourne and LaFOllette to make a martyr of Arizona in order that they might have an issue" wherewith to keep them selves before the country. MT. Smith would work for Arizona not for selfish politicians who | have no real interest in ArizOna'S welfare.
 The press of Arizona undoubt- edly voices the intelligent senti ment of the territory. Without exception the papers of this ter ritory are ridiculing the preten- sions of the little coterie of Phoe- nix politicians who purport to speak for the whole territory politicians who are passing the hat and begging the people to equip them with funds where with to make a free trip to Wash ington for the glorifica tion of themselves and Bourne and La FallOtte.
 What the people of Arizona want-what the honest news papers of Arizona want-iS state hood. They resent the suggeS- tion that it is necessary to have it appear that we cannot send anybody but a characterless pOli- tician to Washington.
 If Mark Smith should go to Washington for Arizona, re- publicans and democrats alike would gladly acclaim him their unofficial ambassador. It would not be necessary to send any desinfectants along with him. No reputable citizen of Arizona would have to make apology for him. Mark Smiths official and personal record in Arizona is a long one, and there is nothing in his record for which any citizen of Arizona has to apOlO- gize. We have had our fun from time to time in pointing out his too ready willingness to follow demagOgueS in order to avoid dissensiOns in his own party, but we have never doubted, and never had occasion to doubt, his sterling integrity, or his loyalty to Arizona.
 This happens to be a time in which Arizona seems to need MT. Smith at Washington. Del egate Comeron, ever since he took office, has worked indus triously and faithfully to get statehood for the territory. When the record is made up, and the people know all the facts, they will be proud of what Cameron has done, and grateful for what he has done. But the whirligig of politics has brought the de mocratic party into control of the lower house of congress, and MT. Cameron now ought to have the assistance of the democrats of Arizona. This assistance could not be made so effective through any other channel as through the services of Mark Smith What we have said is based on the assumption that President Taft will reject the constitution. In anticipation of the presidents adverse action, the democrats and republicans