Arizona republican., 1902-09-16
PHoENIx. ARIZONA. SEPT. 16. lsC
Today's Convention.


 yesterday nominated aa exceedingly weak legislative ticket. And most of their nominees for the county offices fall within the same classification Thus the republicans in their conven- tion toSsy will find awaiting them both opportunity and duty. They have an opportunity to name men for the terri torial legislature who will be triumph antIy elected This county is now so close, politically, that the success or defeat of a candidate on either the democratic or republican ticket de- pends largely upon his personal fitness as viewed by the voters. The repub- licans have only to nominate good, clean men. who are also men of affairs. educated and intelligent, to assure a solid delegation to the Twentyseoond legislature. Maricopa county pays one-third of the territorial taxes, and the importance of being properly rep resented in the legislature should be apparent to every voter and taxpayer in the county. The republicans owe 1t to themselves and to the county to make such selections as will reflect credit upon the party and assure that degree of leadership in the next law making body to which the county pos ition entities it. That there will be today a due appreciation of the weighty re- sponsibility which devolves upon the party in this regard. we do not doubt. Nor, can it be said that a lighter duty rests upon the convention in the matter of the county nominations. If men of proved worth and intelligence are nominated the chances will be ex- cellent for the election of the entire re- publican ticket. But very few years ago republicans in Maricopa county were so scarce that their conventions resembled a corporars guard in num- bere, and the great difficulty was to find enough men to fill the places on the ticket. But each year the republi- can tide has been steadily rising, and in recent campaigns it has always been a certainty that at least portion of IcIya he daSa f. ed. This year the prospects are better than ever before for complete success for the republicans.
 But the duty confronting the conven- tion today is not confined to careful discrimination in the nomination of candidates for the legislature and coun- ty offices. It will be necessary to select delegates to the territorial convention which meets in Phoenix tomorrow for the nomination of a candidate for con- gress. An uninstructed delegation of representative republicans should be sent. Up to this writing but two names
 are under consideration for leader in the coming campaign-Judge W. F. Nichols, territorial auditor, and the Hon. Robert F. Morrison, former United States district attorney. The district attorney of Pima county, the Hon. w. F. Cooper. was frequently mentioned a short time ago, and he is an able man. possesging many clements of strength. But for some reason not made public he refused to permit fur ther consideration of his name. and his declination must be considered final. It appears, therefore. that the nomination will fall either to Judge Nichols or to MT. Morrison, two excep- To enable and assist the convention tomorrow properly to consider the rela- tive availability of these two gentle men, Maricopa republicans today will doubtless see the wisdom of sending a strong delegation.
 More than a month ago Judge Nichols announced through The Republican that he was not 6 candidate for the nomination. and must not be consid- cred in any sense an applicant for that honor But he did not say he would refuse the nomination If tendered him by the practically unanimous voice of the party. This. undoubtedly. is also the position of MT. Morrison. He is