Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-07-14
PHOENIX. ARIZONA. JULY Il. 1911.
Ralph cameron's VindicatiOn.

The march of events at Washing
ton has speedily sustained the wis
dom of Delegate Cameron's attitude
toward the Flood statehood resolu-
ton
When that resolution was before the
house Mr.. Cameron stated that he
opposed il for the sole reason that 1t
would not bring statehood for the
territory that he represents. He eN-
plained that the failure OF the resolu-
ton TO provide for the exclusion OF
the judiciary recall would lead TO re-
lection Of the resolution by the pres
jdent if il should reach the White
House. AS to the merits or dement's
of the recall as applied to the Ju-
dietary, Mr. Cameron expressed no
opinion, nor was it necessary for him
10 express any opinion. He was. as
he plainly stated, dealing with
fact and not a theory.
Mr.. Cameron was, of course, as
sailed by the unfair press of Ari-
IONA. and charged with opposition to
statehood. with betrayal of his con-
stituents, and so on. And all be
cause he told what would happen II
congress passed a resolution which
the president opposed.
If a man perched on a dangerous
window ledge were to be told, II
YOU Jump from that window you will
be crippled certainly. and you may
break your neck" it would be quite as
reasonable for him to call his inform
ant an enemy as it was to say that
Mr.. Cameron showed himself an en-
envy to statehood and an enemy to
Arizona when he stated his belief that
the adoption of the Flood resolution
would prevent the admission of his
territory.
But the outcry here against Mr..
Cameron disclosed a phase of hu-
man nature WHICH - do oAN a. ~
manity itself. In ancient times it was
the custom Of rulers to put to death
the bearers of unwelcome tidings.
The abundant vindication of Mr..
Cameron's position came on Tues
day of this week, when Senator
Smith told the senate that to adopt
the Flood resolution would be TO
defeat the admission. Of Arizona.
When Senator Smith made this
statement to the senate he had just
had a conference with President
Taft on the subject of statehood.
He of course spoke by authority.
And Senator William Alden Smith
of Michigan, chairman Of the senate
committee on territories, is. like Del
egate Ralph Cameron, sincerely an
xious for the speedy admission Of
this territory. AS our readers know.
dictionary senator. On a progressive"
platform he decisively defeated Sen
ator Burrows. He believes that the
people of Arizona are entitled to ad-
mission under a constitution of their
own choosing.
But Senator Smith is not lacking
in practical sense. He as chairman
of the committee on territories had a
right to ascertain from President
Taft the presidents views on legisla
ton for a territory, and he went 70
Mr.. Taft TO learn what would be the
fate of the Flood resolution /: it
should be adopted by congress. He
found out. He learned that Mr.. Taft
is so opposed on principle to making
judges on the bench subject to the
recall that he will not approve a
resolution which permits the objec-
tionable provision to remain in the
Arizona constitution. 1t was Senator
Smiths duty to warn the senate Of
what he had learned, and he promptly
did so. Making the statement that
the president would veto the Flood
resolution If it reached him in its
present form, Senator Smith gave
notice that he would offer an amend
ment striking from the Arizona con-
stitution the recall of judges.
And there the facts are. with Dele
gate Cameron indicated. II Mt.
Cameron, knowing what he did OF
the presidents attitude, had supported
the Flood resolution. he would have
shown himself faithless to the people
Of Arizona
, An interesting aftermath of Tues