Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-08-20
Statehood at Last!

The Republican jubilantly extends
greetings and congratulations to the
people of Arizona this morning.
The twenty-year struggle for state
hood has ended in victory.
At last the door into the Union
swings open.
Statehood under the best conditions
obtainable and at the earliest possible
moment has always been the desire
of this paper. and for this consum-
nation it has worked increasingly.
Such differences as we have had with
our friends have been over the queS-
ton of securing statehood in the
quickest manner. Some months have
been lost through an unwise effort
to accomplish the impossible at Wash
ington. but in this hour of final vic
IOTN anu SpOu lttllll5 VIC dAN AACN us
posed to dwell upon that fact. Let
the mistakes of the past be buried
in the past
But while rejoicing at the good
fortune which has finally come to Us,
let us not lose sight of the response
bility which confronts every citizen
of the new state 1t is the duty of
every citizen to take an earnest in
terest in the work of starting the new
government in the right direction. On
account of the developments at Wash
ington during recent months in con-
nection with our application for ad
mission. public attention throughout
the country has been drawn to Ari-
IONA. The people of the whole cour-
try will follow with interest our first
steps in self government. "A decent
respect to the opinions of mankind
Gin the words of the Declaration of
INDEPENDENCE should impel us to do
our utmost to deserve the approval of
our fellow citizens of our sister states.
But it is of far more Importance that
we so conduct ourselves that we earn
our own respect and the approval OF
our own conscience.
Candidates for office will soon be in
evidence, like the leaves of the for
est. The people of Arizona will do
well to scrutinize with microscopic
care the character and claims of these
applicants for public favor. The test
of fitness should be rigidly applied,
with entire disregard for the non-es-
sentials Particular care should be
taken to avoid bestowing favor AMI
power upon any man merely because
he purports to believe" this or that
When a rancher hires farm hand:
when a merchant hires a clerk or
manager, or when any group of men
set about employing an agent for d
position of high responsibility, the
question to be decided is not: Does
he believe" this or that, but is he
honest and capable. and is he better
equipped for the job than any other
applicant?
clamorous claims of candidates II
the effect that they ought to be elect
ed to office because they have pro-
claimed popular beliefs" Sucn
claims should weigh for nothing
against the questions which will arise
as to the records they have made for
honesty and square deallnS ana inc
fitness they have shown for the posi-
tions they seek.
If our first state government makes
a creditable record for integrity, |
economy and good business sense and
for the protection of every citizen in
his rights under the constitution and
the laws. and shall exhibit to the
world a sober appreciation of the re-
sponsibilities thrust upon it; and II
the people shall send to Washington
to represent US in the senate and
house Of representatives the best men