Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1902-09-24
Arizona Republicans.
Especial to the Journal Miner.

After affecting temporary organ ization, the territorial republican convention took a recess until 2 o'clock for the purpose of holding a caucus in the Hotel Adams to select a candidate for delegate to congress. At 2.30 p. m. the caucus is still in session.
 The convention was called to order by J. c. Adams, chairman of the central committee. The representa- ton was large. There was no oppo- sition to the election of T. c. Job of Yavapai as temporary chairman, Ralph Sturges of Pima as temporary secretary and Geo. U. Young of Co., conino as assistant.
 Each delegate is allowed to name his own member of the various com mittees. The Yavapai men are accredited E. s. Jones on permanent organization, T. c. Campbe Il and J E. Morrison on platform.
 R. E. Morrison is here and has many friends.
 As to what the caucus will do it is impossible to predict as the chances are about equal between Morrison and Nichols.
 The republican territorial conven- tion yesterday nominated Hon. Rob ert E. Morrison candidate for dele gate to congress after one of the sharpest contests in the history of the party in this territory, so says the Republican of Phenix. It was at all times, though, good natured and consisted of the siftings of the opi- nions of the delegates regarding a matter of expediency. Those who voted for Mir. Morrison did so with regret that they were compelled to vote against so good and strong candidate as Territorial Auditor w. F. Nichols and those who supported MT. Nichols regretted that in doing so they had to turn down so strong candidate as Morrison.
 The opinions of the delegates re- garding the superior qualities of their respective candidates was so nearly equally divided that if two more dele gated had voted for Mir. Nichols he would have been nominated. The convention was never for moment lacking in snap, and there was never at any moment manifestation of factional bitterness.
 The result was SO much in doubt that when the convention was called to order in the morning it was gener- ally believed that Mir. Morrison would receive the nomination; when it reassembled at 3 o'clock in the af- ternoon. It was believed and con- ceded by some of the supporters of Mir. Morrison that he would be de- feated.
 In illustration of the general un- certainty regarding the situation it was not finally determined until after two o'clock that both gentlemen would be placed before the conven- ton.
 Neither candidate was striving for the honor. Both were willing to leave to the delegates in caucus as to which would likely be the stronger and when the delegates were unable to decide this matter without bal lot it was agreed to take the ballot in the open convention.
 It was known that the northern counties were solid for Mir Morrison. It was believed that the southern counties were solid for Mir. Nichols, but it was not known precisely how the Maricopa county vote would break.
 The ballot proved that the north was solid; there were openings in the south and though the Maricopa vote for MT. Morrison was smaller than had been expected he was nominated by a vote of 7S to 76.
 Another thing decided by the con- yention was that the next territorial assembly of the party should be at Tucson.
 The convention throughout was marked by the greatest enthusiasm in which the spectators joined. The speeches were generally brilliant, the work of the convention showed skill | in all its parts and in all respects the was the most notable pol Itical gathering in the territory within recent years.
 The vote was as follows: For Morrison-Apache county 6 votes; Coconino county 10; Gila, s; Mari | copa, '; Mohave, 3; Navajo, 5; Pinal, 1; Yavapai, 34; Yuma, 1. Total, IS.
 For Nichols-Cochise. 13; Graham, l3; Maricopa, 26; Pima, IA; Santa Cruz, 5; Yuma, 5. Total, 76.