Graham guardian., 1900-10-05
SMITH THE CANDIDATE.

central committee of Maricop,
county has decided to adopt hi'
emblem, the silver dollar, for thu
county ticket.
1t is we'll known to every mar
in Arizona the Enterprise was al
ardent supporter of Col. j. F. vii
son two years ago, both for nomi
nation and election. This yeal
with all our might we advocated
his denomination on the grounC
that, having been a faithful servaD-
one term he was entitled TO re
nomination.
County after county held con
vention, some declaring for Smith
Others for Wilson, until outside o
Maricopa county it stood; Viii
son, 20; Smith, 50. This county
with its 3S delegates held the bal
a1cc of power, a, d so it was pro
claimed by both sides. The prim
aries were battles royal and each
side left no stone untmred to ad
vance its respective candidate.
The county convention assembl
ed, both sides nervous and afraid
to make test Of strength. Wher
it came to the selection Of ten
porary chairman, Frank SaXter
the Smith candidate, won by II
margin, Other tests showed the
Smith men in control by small
but safe majority. This was in
creased by adding nine delegates
not in the call, eight of whom
were for Smith and one for Will
son. The majority had strength
to add these in a parliamentary
way, A resolution was passed in
structing the delegates for Marl
A. Smith, and no protest was made
aside from inward bleeding anC
smothercd cuss words. The mex
day all participated in selecting
the county ticket, thus establish
ing an estoppel, if there was any
thing in the convention to pro
test against.
Three days later number o
ex-delegates held II quiet mcotin!
and selected rontesting dolcga
tion.
Owing to extreme friendlincs
for Col. Wilson, the Enterprise rc
manned silent, willing, If it coult
be accomplished, to allow the vii
son men to seat the contestants il
territorial convention. By bat
management the attempt failed
hence the case, III our mind, drop
ped back to the status Of that coup
ty convention from which tn
Wilson men emerged, feeling the,
had been defeated.
Next day, during the count,
convention proper, Col. Wills l
told the editor of this paper tia
he would allow no contest ant
that he proposed to address the
convention in the interests of har
mony, so as to help the county
ticket. During the second even
ing of the territorial convention
Col. Wilson again attempted t
withdraw, evidently following thu
dictates of his own conscience
His friends interfered AID the
second time he failed tt
do his plain duty. Now in the
light of these events we feel it oul
duty to support the man whom thf
county central committee declares
the rightful nominee.
Inasmuch as Col. Wilson was
present at the county conveI tior
ard knew the circumstances q,
well as did Mr.. Smith we felt Ger
tain he would in time come tC
some terms. His action on Satur
day in rejecting a conference ant
rushing off to Jerome to begin the
campaign, makes it impossible 70,
Mr.. Smith to further negotiate
with him in the interest of com
promise.
This is II plain statement o
events as they have transpiret
and in our opinion if Oakes Muir
ply is to be defeated it can be ac
complished only by the uritec
support of Mark Smith, and tc
this end the Enterprise will pu'
forth its efforts.
Nit Sims, of Clifton, is u demo
crat that the whole party may b,
proud Of. He returned home from