The Florence tribune., 1900-10-13

done under these circumstances? It is plain. They would have recognized the election of Shannon, and on the i appoiL tment of a committee on creden- tials, would have filed their contest and produced proofs and had trial of the question in an orderly and legal and decent way. If afte- such hearing the committee should decide against them, they had the right to bring in minority report and get vote of the convention on it. If the minority re- port contested the regular delegates from Maricopa. that county could not vote on that contest, and there would have been 70 Wilson delegates voting aud only 59 Smith delegates. Having no proof to submit to properly ap- pointed committee-having no valid | arguments to urge before the conven- tion, their only escape from my nom ination was through the revolutionary methods adopted by them. They knew among the 70 Wilson delegates there was large majority of honest, fair democrats, who would not inten- tioially wrong their party or cheat it's choice ont of a fair nomination, l Their case could not be trusted even to their friends.
 1t S conceded that delegate whose seat is contested cannot vote upon that contest; but it is equally true that a delegate having the regular creden- tials can vote on all matters of prelim- mary organization prior to the motion to seat or unseat himself. McCrary on Elections, page lS8. .lS9, says:
 'sIf the mere institution of d contest was to be deemed sufficient to prevent the swearing in of the person holding the usual credentials, 1t is easy to see that very great and serious injustice might be done. If this were the rule, it would only be necessary for an evil disposed person to contest the right of his successful rival, aud to protract the contest as long as possible, in order to deprive the latter of his office for at least part of the term. And this might be done by contest having it- tie or no merit on his side, for 1t would be impossible to discover, in advance of an investigation, the absence of merit. And again, if the party hold ing the ordinary credentials to an of- flee could be kept out of the office by
 
 organization of legislative body. such, for example, as the House of Representatives of the United States, might be altogether prevented by in- stituting contests against U majority of the embers, or what is more to be apprehended, the relative strength of political parties in such body might be changed by instituting contests ! against members of one or the other of such parties. These considerations have made it necessary to adopt, and to adhere to, the rule, that the person holding the ordinary credentials shall be qualified. and allowed to act pend- ing contest and until decision can be had on the merits"
 It is evident, therefore, that Shannon was duly elected temporary chairman, aud whether MT. Parish did or did not declare the result, is wholly immater- ial; otherwise he by withholding the announcement, or making false an nouncement, could force any result his recklessness might dictate, and thus usurp the whole power and func- tions of the convention, while he him self was not even a member of the body.
 In an effort to extricate the conven- tion from the unhappy dilemma into which it had thus needlessly been thrown, a committee consisting of three delegates from each side was chosen by agreement. This committee never agreed. The proceeding had be- fore it will soon be made public.
 Tine ambition of certain men leading Col. Wilson's fight had in my opinion much to d o with the failure to reach an amicable settlement of all differ ences in the convention. 4 purpose early manifested itself. to force the re- tirement of both of us. that others who had made DO campaign might reap the reward of UT labors. Colonel Wilson had manfully, after the action of the Maricopa County Convention, accepted the results and expressed his desire to announce it before the convention and beal all wounds he could, and with draw from further contest for the nomination. 1 believe that Col. Will sons heart has never been in sympa- thy. with these higb-handed proceed ings for later on, when the joint com mittee was in conference at the Conventionhe formally sent word to it, notice of his purpose and intention to withdraw from the race; and this announcement by him was accepted by all parties, and the delegates assem- bled 1t the hall satisfied that the strug- gle was over. In good faith, Col. Will son attemptei to carry out this dec- laration, but was stopped on the way to the platform by some parties to whom 1 have alluded, and was pre- vailed upon to leave the hall and abandon his purpose.
 , I was then duly nominated by the convention, received 92 votes out of 164 delegates elected to it. On what claim the nomination of Col. Wilson is based, I do not know From the : regular delegates he could receive but 70 votes. If-7o delegates, which is less than a quorum, turned ont the regular MaricoDa delegates and seated the un- known men, the act was void and was done without hearing, and in viola tion of every sense ofrig Int and justice, and wholly destructive of party dis cip.ine.
 Tine propriety of my entering the race is no longer question for dis cussion. The democratic party has acted. No equities can be plead against it's edics. It presents to the public it's own candidates, and recog- nizes no riphts other than it's own