The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-09
ARIZONA.
Confederates in Tho Territorial saddle.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRiBUSE: The depos-
ing of Gov. l.. c. Hughesby President Cleve-
land and the appointment of b. J. Franklin
rs his successor as Governor of Arizona, Is
elimination of struggle which has been
in progress in Arizona for nearly 20 years
Hughes was veteran Union soldier, Frank
lin Confederate soldier Hughes went 20
Arizona In 1870 on account Of broken heaFth,
partly the result of bard service, and entered
the practice of law. In 1877 ne commenced
the publication of the STIR. the first Demo-
cratic paper published ia Arizona. He was
q leading spirit in organization OF the Demo
cratic party in the Territory; and the party
at once controlled the politics of the Terri
tory.
But no sooner organized and its strength
discovered than the Confederate Democrats
determined to control the party, and nomi-
mated all of the principal candidates from
that element. Hughes rebelled, and openly
declared that the Northern Democrats
should have equal representation as long
~ they represented half the party. This
caused The starting OF an opposition paper
TO Hughes But, to hold the party together,
the Northern Democrats were recognized.
The fight was then directed against Hughes
with tire determination 10 drive him ont Of
the party. No less than six daily and seven
weekly papers were started by the Con-
iederale element. all of which had to sus-
pend, until now Hughes has clear field.
Every time Hughes has been candidate
for the National Conventions, the C0nieder-
ates have fought him bitterly, simply be-
cause he has been leading GAR. Demo-
GRAFT They openly declare that he has no
right to be in the Democratic party. He
has twice defeated them. He was the
Chairman of the Arizona Delegation at
Chicago four years ago and cast The Arizona
vote for Cleveland. This gave him the Gov
ernorshlp OF the Territory But as soon ~
he became a candidate this element was viO-
lently opposed to him, with three exCep-
tiOns-being those who wanted his assist
ance to secure places; but as soon as they
were appointed they opened war upon their
benefactor and when asked the reasons
why, they stated they did not propose to
allow "a - Yankee to be Governor OF the
Territory, and, uniting with the saloon and
amDlng elements, they carried on a most
malignant war against Hughes, which they
declared they would continue untila South
ern gentleman was appointed to succeed
him.
Then they demanded that all of the i'm
portant appointments be made from that
element OF that party. Hughes answered,
he would make au equal distributions this
was not aCceded to. and the war was more
bitterly waged. All kind of charges were
filed against Hughes, the United States
Marshal and the Secretary of the Territory
being YirgInians and bitterly hostile for
the fight. Grand juries were packed, and
the majorities were Southerns, or enemies of
Hughes. Trumped-up charges were pre-
scented. hut without avail Then they APP
peJleG to the Southern Senators; the State /
hoCd was nearing tor Arizona, and il Hughes I
was allowed to remain Governor, that either 4
two Yankee Democrats or two Republicans
would be elected Senators. This appeal I
brought them strength.
Secretary Shiith was appealed to on same .
line, and when Hughes demanded an inves-
tigatiOn of the charges against him. he asked /.
the President to send Northern man, CT ut 4
least not Southern or a Confederate Colo
mel. The investigation was made, but by
two Con ederates, who were in the hands of
the Southern element during all the time of
their visit; but notwithstanding all this,
Hughes met and demolished every, charge.
1t is worthy OF notice that during Hughes's
administration here has been a reduction of
the C, st Of maintaining the Government OF
the Territory in every branch of from 10 20
% per cent. As an illustration, the Terri
torIal Prison was reduced from (, 8 cents per
capita per day to 80 cents per capita, and
every institution improved and the service
greatly enhanced. This is admitted even by
Hughes's enemies. Bat the war was kept
up. and "a nearly all Of the Federal APP
pOintees in the Territory were Sous herners,
their sympathy was with the open enemies
of Hughes as they wished for a Confederate
as Governor.
And without word of notice Gov. Hughes
was summarily removed on March 80, and
y. J. Franklin appointed. and until this day
Gov. Hughes has not been given as much as
an in;imation of the cause OF the Presidents
action But the tight OF 20 years mas been
won by the Coniederates. They have tenn
pOrari,y defeated Hughes, the Yankee SOL
dier as they sneeringly call him. They have
placed in his stead Confederate soldier
who has only been living in the Territory
three years, never paid a cent of taxes to the
Territory nor did one thing in the interest
of Arizona.
Now there are but three Northern Demo-
Gratis holding office under President Cleve-
land in Arizona. All the remainder are
Conference.-The entire Supreme Bench
and the Judges of the District Courts, the
United States Marshal the Revenue Col
lectOr, the Customs Collector, the Secretary
OF the Territory, and Indian Agents;
swarm of hungry inspectors and special
agents mostly from Georgia and Missouri,
and now they have topped out the whole
business with their Governor.
1t is said that the last Democratic victory
for many years to come will have been in
the past, for the soldiers and other Yankee
Democrats won't be dominated by that ele
ment of the party who were dislOyal to the
flag of their country; and while they are
willing that they shall participate in the
benefits of the party, they cannot control it
entire with them in the RANKS; hence the
future will be watched with interest,"
DOUGLAS DEMoCEAT, Tucson, Ariz.