Arizona republican., 1903-04-25
The City Campaign.

Inc Slty SdmPdlXH.
 A marked feature of the city republi- can convention was the feeling and enthusiasm exhibited by the assembled voters every time the speakers alluded to the determination of the republican party to put an end to boodling and mismanagement in the municipal gov ernment. Tremendous applause greeted every declaration that the people of Phoenix are determined at last to have an honest, competent and economical administration.
 When Chairman Duffield pointed out that the citizens themselves, through failure to look after their own interests, are responsible for the disgraceful state of affairs which has prevailed during the past four years, he stated a fact which was freely acknowledged. He did not color the question a part icle when he frankly told his fellow citizens that by neglecting to attend primaries, neglecting to vote for the best men al elections-and often failing to vote at all-and neglecting to show an interest in the proceedings at the city hall, they had made it possible for grafters to build up Q system of public spoliation more intolerable than any thing seen in the worst days of Tam many Hall. He clearly voiced the public sentiment when he said the tax payers were ti,ed of seeing thousands of dollars diverted through padded payrolls every year to the heI eft of a political ring while the streets and parks were neglected-except just te- fore election-aEd when he stated that it was the common duty of republicans and democrats alike to place the city's affairs in capable and honest hands, he emphasized a conviction which already had taken a strong hold on the public mind.
 As he eloquently pointed out. the most disgraceful and the most discour- aging feature of American public life is the political bossism and its oorol- laries, boodling and a trampling on the rights of citizens, now characteristic of so many of our cities, and it is not strange that the crowded hall warmly responded to his appeal to the civic pride of Phoerix-for the masses are honest and public spirited. The fact is, that this is simply an average American community and the average citizen Is too much in the habit of looking after his own affairs while boodlers look after the public business
 It is not to be expected that Phoenix has been aroused to the extent which will make vigilance in the future, and appeals to the public conscience in the future. unnecessary. But an excellent beginning has bs4n made. This was no less evident when MT. J. c. Adams referred to the system of official black mail which has made the dominant faction Of the democratic party infa- nous in Phoenix. As he forcibly said this city is in need not only of capable administration, but an administration which will put an end to the policy of holding up members of the police force and fire department for portions of their salaries-and more than that even, an administration which will be big and broad enough to divorce the fire department from politics. All re- marks along these lines were cheered without reserve. There is nc mistak- ing the fact that in this campaign, as in nearly all campaigns. national as well as local the voters themselves have made the issues, and in this cam paign the chief issue is between an honest, efficient and public spirited administration, as advocated by the republicans, ana an administra tion for what there is in it for a group of demo- crats who make their living out of politics.