The Tucson citizen., 1902-12-06
The Tucson Municipal Contest
Has LiVen6d Up Within a
Few DayS,
The Republicans Are on the Run
and Democratic Chances OF
ViCtOru Are Excellent.

little interest was taken in the city
election up to few days ago. inc
talk on the streets has been more OF
less at random, and politics by nc
means could be said to be the all
absorbing topic. In fact, the partles
were not doing anything to arouse pub
lie interest At least the doings were
not in evidence. Here is just where
the rub came in. The Democrats did
not get a monopoly on band for the
campaign, first, because they do not
believe in monopolies, and secondly
they realized that good work could not
be accomplished when there is much
noise around. The Democrats were
doing something in a very quiet way.
The Republicans were deceived, and
now they are chagrined. They didn't
see any smoke, and they accordingly
thought there was no fire. They were
not aware that their opponents were
waging quiet but earnest and ener-
getic fight. The Republicans started
into the campaign with self-confident
air which was superinduced by their
recent victory in the county. They
put their ticket in the field with the
idea that it was all sufficient. The
city central committee did not even
deem it necessary to request their can
didates to dig up the usual voluntary
contribution. The board of strategy
in the G. o. P. camp dropped into a
state usually described as innocuous
desuetude In other words, there was
not going to be anything doing on the
firing line, from the Republican point
of view They evidently became conF
WINGED that the voters held qualified
opinions on their ticket, that they
couldn't vote any other way, and would
not do it if they wanted to. But
things have changed since mother
died. and things have changed a
heap sight more since the G. 0. P,
convention.
The Citizen called attention to the
reaction which set in shortly after the
two city conventions were held. This
reaction was the result of the quiet
and energetic work inaugurated by the
Democrats. 1t caused two of the
strongest men on the Republican tick
ct to resign. 1t has continued and is
at work at the present hour. The re-
action is nothing more or less than a
wave of Democratic sentiment sweep
ing over the city. The Republicans
we're content at the beginning Of the
miles OF improved streets, sidewalks
sewers and water mains. They swelled
themselves up at the same time and
said: 1--WE did it." The Democrats
conceded that they" did it, but they
began to be inquisitive, and asked how
it was done, and who paid the bill?
They admitted that the Republicans
spent the money, but who had to dig il
up? They can readily see the miles
and miles and miles of improvements
but the all-absorbing question is
couldn't the people who paid for the
things 1--WE did, have received a few
more miles and miles of the same
things for the same money? Was the
$25.0 which I'VE spent on the streets
dealt out with an extravagant hand!
No? Well, how is it that the present
administration paid So cents per foot
for grading Sixth avenue, when 81
cents was the highest price paid for the
same work in the last eight years
Yes, Tucson has miles of water mains
but why do business men have to pay
for water extensions on the outskirts
of town? Why do all the people have
| to pay for benefits derived by a few
Really the Democrats hadn't ought tC
| be so inquisitive.
These Democratic bombshells did not
fall in the G. o. P. camp without eff
| feet. The city central committee came
out of its stupor only to be dumfound-
ed at the sudden turn of affairs. The
Infants board of strategy, too, was
aroused from a listless slumber, and
| they all came to the conclusion at once
that something had to be started. The
4 camp was on the verge of demoraliza-
tion, and the candidates were blue
First of all they started up the Morn
ing Booster" and then spent $50 all at
once to revive the Republican column
In the Star Next few kegs of en-
/ thusiasm were opened up under tht
| flag" in Barrio Libre. Even after
this strenuous business the results
were not at all gratifying. In despair
the board of strategy sent for the old
Alcalde.'' BY the way. the mayor
went down into Cochise to buy cattle
and rest easy during this campaign
He returned yesterday, just in time tt
learn that his administration had ex'
pended $165.000 In the past two years
in ruthless extravaganza. Every one
can just imagine how the "Old AL
calde" exclaimed: Great Caesar!
dose fellas don'dt know vat dey are