Year: 1877

Dlent of this section of our rapidly grow lag Territory. We canvassed the sur rounding country, estimated our re sources and concluded that no lime should be lost in the establishment of newspaper enterprise. Our friends gave us most cheerful encouragement and hearty assurances of cooperation and support. Within five days after we first mentioned our views to our friends we had concluded bargain and THE CITIZEN was ours.

 This bargain was concluded on Octo. Der g, and on October 27 the last issue of THE CITIZEN was published in Tue. son. Since that time the presses and material have been taken down, pack ed, moved to Florence, set in order here, and today, November 9, 1877, We have the pleasure of giving to the pub lie our first issue, our maiden effort. And so without seeking on our part, and without urging from others, we seem to have gracefully moved into the ranks of journalists, a position which we hope to fill with profit to ourseli satisfaction to our friends and credit to the profession.

 In the sale and purchase of THE CIT lzEN and its transfer to Florence, the parties interested were in no manner influenced by feelings of malice or sec tIonal jealousy. The sale was made sim ply because MT. WassOn desired to sell and we were inclined 10 buy. The trans fer was made to Florence not because Tucson needed the paper less nor that Florence needed il more, but simply because lis purchasers desired 10 bring 1t here, and if the transfer be consider ed ID the least injurious to Pima cOun- sy, We hope to redeem our unintended offense by our future generous and friendly disposition toward that pros porous county.

 We do not cone into the field with new paper-THE CITIZEN has wide circulation and most excellent record. It has been in every respect journal of true independence, cOnciencinus, truthful and popular, and devoted to the best interests of iis county and Ter ritory. If We can equal its past record in these respects, and maintain the pub lie confidence in its columns now exist ing, We shall feel that we are doing a good work and yielding a strong arm in the push of progress and prosperity

 IL is our firm determination to be strictly independent, and our sincere desire to be equally just, principle be fore party shall be motto, fearless and eager in defending the right, and the -sIural enemy of evil and oppression. We are, of course, devoted to home and home interests, but not to a degree that would exclude or injure our neighbors. Much must be said and done for Flor ence. Pinal county has broad valleys of fertile land where the farmer and ranchman are year after year reaping rich rewards for their labor. On many sunny hillsides and grassy plains the stock herds feed and fatIen, while the hardy miners are daily discovering and developing the rich deposits of mineral that lie hidden in our mountains bound by natures masonry. IL shall De our pride ana pleasure to advocate all these interests warmly, and to give the PiO- neer and Globe districts and the Gila valley the place and prominence they richly deserve. But in doing this, we shall not depreciate the merits of our sister counties; W, shall not forget the true hearts that beat in friendly breasts. We shall only be too glad to chronicle the prosperity of our neighbors and cheer them on their way. We feel that our natural resources insure Us rapid growth and great strength at home, hence we can afford to be generous and jealousy need not move Us to wrath.

 Having chosen new field of labor we propose to devote our energies to ward the advancement of the best inter est of the whole Territory. and Tn sus taiIing such men and measures as will best contribute to this end. We do not propose to return to the past, to open 0,I sores or raise old issues in which the public has lost interest, always, however, holding ourself in readiness to repel any unjust attack that may be- made upon us.

 We desire to advocate those measures which will cecure the greatest good to- the most people, but We do not suppose that our views will always meet with unanimous approval, even our bes friends may not always concur with us in sentiment. We hope for cOnsidera- tion, yet we are prepared for the annoy snces characteristic of the profession. We do not expect 10 float through the journalistic word in flowery beds, nor to recline leisurely in palace car. We have already devoted three years of our life to the public service in this Terri tory with measure Of success and al taste of censure. But as in that posi- iion we sought only to know our duty and 10 do it well, abiding the results. so now in our new sphere we shall seek