The copper era., 1911-06-02
MARK SMITH WRITES
CANDID OPINION
ABOUT STATEHOOD
If Joint Resolution Can be Brought
to a Vote In Senate Passage Is
Assured. Position Of President
Still in Doubt.

gress for many years. and who enjoys
a wide acquaintance at the National
capital, Is in Washington in the
interest of statehood for Arizona and
proposes to remain there until the
special session of Congress sdjourns.
Now is the time when Arizona needs
all the i6iuence that can be brought
to bear upon the members of the
Senate committee on Territories to
induce the committee to report the
! Joint resolution to the senate for
! final action. Once this is accom-
plished it is agreed by all that Ari-
zona will be admitted at this special
session under the joint resolution
which has already passed the House.
1t is possible that the joint resolution
ma be amended in the Senate,
eliminating the Recall of the
Judiciary from the Arizona con-
stitution, and il this is done, the
House will undoubtedly agree to the
amendment, in order to make state
hood certain at this session. The
Battle ground for statehood is the
Senate. This has always been the
battle ground, and at this critical
time we believe Hon Mark Smith is
the most able representative from
Arizona to plead our cause. Hon.
Ben NJ. Crawford of this city received
d letter from Mark Smith this week
bearing on the statehood situation at
this time. In this letter Mr.. Smith
says under date of May 25th: "The
bill! passed the House yesterday be 4
vote of PA to 81. thirty three Re-
publicans voting with the democrats.
tThe Senate committee is more
favorable than formerly since
Beveridge has been let out. 1
presented Arizonas s case before the
Senate committee on last Thursday
and was grattfied to learn that the
stubborn resistance to every appeal
seems to be much modified if not
entirely gone If we can get vote
in the Senate the bill will pass at
this regular session. The purpose of
the "staad pat" Republicans will be
to prevent a vote and thus permit
New Mexico to slip in under Taft's
approval and Arizona be left out. l
hardly think they can succeed in
their purpose.
Delegate Cameron signed the
minority report of the House Com
mittee on Territories for which every
old enemy of statehood voted on the
passage OF the bill. l heard Cameron
make his speech in the House, and he
was challenged by Flood, the Demo-
cratic chairman of the Committee on
Territories, for signing a report
against Arizona and was asked if the
President had ever told him that he
would lot sign the resolution if it
passed as then before the Bouse,
He evaded the question and finally
said it was his own opinion
Copies of the Congressional Record
resolved this week contain many able
speeches on statehood for Arizona
and New Mexico. The debate in the
House was concluded by Chairman
Flood, who, during the course of his
speech, paid a deserved tribute to
Hon. Mark Smith, tor his able efforts
in behalf of statehood for Arizona in
proceeding sessions.
Arizona's hopesfor statehood are
now i'll he hands of the Senate Com
mittee on Territories, a majority of |
which is composed of regular" Re
l. ~
publicaus of Arizona can accomplish |
much good for Arizona by lending
their influence and assistance with |
members of the Senate Committee.