Arizona republican., 1900-10-28
Fitness Of Local Democratic
 Standard BaarGTS
As Set Forth by 8 New York Man Who Did Not Know Their Names So Talked About Something Else Something of Frost.

 plaza, called ostensibly for th- pur- pose of giving the local office seekers a chance al the voters, inasmuch as they have been pretty well barred out by the leaders who have utilized the greater part of every previous meeting in discussing national issues and in not telling what Mark smith did for Arizona while in congress.
 The campaign is fast nearing it's end and whoever the candidates may be they are entitled to hearing. IL was therefore believed that d good lively time would be haI last night and in fact at the outset an audience Cf very crzditable size assembled and the mu- sic of the Pioneer band gave it a good start off. But hardly had the festiv- iues begun when the people realized that they had been buncoed again and that they, as well as the candidates. Were to get the short end of the stick. An Alaskan chill came from the speak CTS stand, and working gradually back by the time the second speaker was iu- troduged, the back seats Were empty and only the faithful few remained to the end.
 J. L. B. Alexander was chairman of
 
 candidates were on the platform. The first speaker introduced was r. r. Hog an of New York. He spoke clearly and distinctly though not s0 loud but that the back benches frequently demanded more volume. He began by drawing his coat iuore closely about him to keep out the chill and then thanked the peo- pie for their warm reception. He said: ..ra III you something. l am not prophet, nor the son of d prophet. nor d profit able son. but i come to you from New York to predict the election of our H. Iustrious audience here on the plat form" Then he touched on the subject of statehood and said republican prom ises in this matter were nos sincere. We have had enough of them. and you should say to the republicans as the great commoner said. you shall not pluck. etc'' Then there Was d pause of a few minutes in which two or three democrats who recognized She Guotd- ton applauded.
 lie finished his reference to local iS- sues by advising the people to vote for Mark smith and the TOW of gentlemen who sat behind him, and whose nam s
 
 into in ElarionaI administration. That. of course, was all he could do, not be- jns familiar with local affairs. but he was particularly unfortunate in pick ing out the very subjects for discussion on which the western heart is tender and ascribed to the administration those things that may be matters for partisan discussion in some parts. but upon which all in this territory agree as being simply questions of AmelI- can patriotism.
 The administration. ." he said, was responsible for the blowing up of the Maine: if it had not been sent to Ha- yana harbor II would not have been blown up. That was brilliant thought and one worth remembering. span may have been cowardly assassin, but the administration was consum- mate fool" Continuing, he alleged that -rne blood of two wars was on the republicans" though there are many good democrats proud to claim some of it. lie did not believe in the motto: . My country. riEh- or wrong but "A'E my country" when he thought it was right. T he war. he said, Was lalluIe' . as We had nothing to show for il but the Philippines. and We don want them.
 All this was interes sting to taP'ain J. L. F. Alexander of the rough riders, 1 and chairman of the meeting. Then . he showed more consistency in blaming l the president for withdrawing troops . from China The American flag was then taken down a few pegs because it . did not protect American citizens in . t. \ T1s-l h fi11tr ton wept over. Yet we don't want ,big army. he said. T. is too big now and is only used to ouur-ss the labor ing men.
 some sor- of a fling vas made . at d Methodist conference which gave Mckinley a royal leone. and the speak r wondered if the president told . the confer, nee that Wash ngton was not an imp-rialisl. He did not discuss this question at length OF explain the abov-, but proceeded :o announce that he wan, d .lo say something about trusts. TO-" said democrat on the lear seats as he got up t1 ave. that's en.usn for me" But rae trust talk was cut short with the statement that thar. was only one sLlr- oc the iee trust held by democrat.
 The above are bU- a few oi the lead ing points of the speech and they are fully xplanItory of the fitness Of the local dem1,ra.-ic candidates to. fill the C1UT,y ofis.=.
 Charles Petersen Of Mesa. candidate for tn legislature, was introduced and made a lunge at national affairs by saying that Abraham Lincoln said this country "could not -zis- half republic and half slav' whatever that might man. He is. however, good pa t.i,-lc nan and a little later remarked that the war with Spain Twas author izzd bN a unanimous conGr ss and a united people. 1t was true. of course. but scarcely good taa-- Ar remark it SD soon after the preceding speech. He wanted to m anticn the locai ticket. but th. evening Was too far Sone so he Tass-d it by saying it was good one.
 G. P. Bu,lard followed in a five-min-