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Show MOKMONH JN ARIZONA. Acting Governor Murphy of Arizona, In his report to the secretary of the interior, estimates the Mormon population popu-lation of that territory as something over 11,000. He is, however, of the opinion that Mormon immigration to that territory will increase very much in the next few years. The reasons for this aro tho restrictive legislation in Idaho aud tho strong probability of similar legislative enactments in Utah. Governor Murphy expresses tho fear that, unless some similar measures are adopted, Arizona will in a few years become Mormonized, and recommends that congress grant to that territory tho same protection as Is enjoyed by Idaho, and that tho Idaho test oath be made applicable to Arizona. The most important point made by Governor Murphy in his objection to tho Mormons is that they will prejudice the territory's chances for statehood. In this he has tho best interosts of the territory ter-ritory at heart. How seriously Mormon rule does militate ogaiust tho chances for statehood can find no better illustration illus-tration than tho territory of Utah. She has for years been ready for statehood; has a larger population, moro wealth and greater natural resources than some half dozen states. We must presume that tho recent manifesto of President Woodruff, advising ad-vising against polygamy, will have the same force in Arizona that it has in Utah. There Is no evidence that it is not sincere. Governor Murphy's re- port was prepared and in all probability probabil-ity in the hands of tho secretary of the interior before the publication of that important document. It is at least a partial answer to tho charge that any material increase of the Mormon population popu-lation of that territory would seriously disturb society and the affairs of government. gov-ernment. But tho position that Mor-monization Mor-monization would seriously prejudice the chances for statehood is well taken, and deserves tho earnest consideration of tho people of Arizona. The lesson of Utah on that subject is so plain that ho who runs may read. |