Arizona republican., 1904-09-22
The Question of Efficiency at Wash
 Ington.

Ington.
 The Tucson Citizen exhibits more zeal than discretion when it undertakes to show that Marcus Aurelius Smith would be more useful than Benjamin Austin Fowler at Washington. The Citizen Cbecause of inaccurate infor- nation, of course) tells its readers that MT. Fowler is unknown at Washington, whereas MT. Smith has an intimate ac- quaintance with senators and congress- men. From these false premises our esteemed Tucson contemporary draws the conclusion that it would be fla | tally unwise for Arizona to elect MT. Fowler delegate. It points out-which is quite true-that stranger in Wash | ington can not accomplish a great deal during his first term in congress. On account. therefore. of the grave in terests which this territory will have at stake at the national capital for some time to come, the Citizen urges that the election of the well known and popular MT. Smith is imperatively necessary.
 The real facts place the Citizens con- tention in a humorous light. During 1 the last four years MT. Fowler has been one of Arizona's unofficial dele | gates to congress. In promoting and protecting the interests of the Salt River valley he has been before the committees of the two houses time and ! chinery at the capital, in the matter of wide acquaintance in the house and senate. and in the matter of good standing with senators. representatives and cabinet officers, MT. Fowler ranks with Mark Smith and N. o. Murphy MT. Fowler is a graduate of Yale, and several senators and representa- tives were his classmates. One of his most intimate friends is Senator Henry 1 Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts. a na- tional leader of the republican party and President Roosevelt's closest friend in the senete. Speaker Cannon and Chairman Hamilton of the house com mittee on territories are ikwise num- | bered among MT. FowIer's congress sional friends. Indeed, in the Fifty ninth congress, for which Fowler and Smith are now the opposing candidates, it is probable that Fowler will have more friends and acquaintances than Smith.
 | Moreover, not even MT. Smith or the Citizen can seriously believe that Parker will be elected or that. the dem- ocrats can gain control of the house at this election. In other words, con- gress and the administration will con- tinue to be republican. Joseph G. Can non will continue to be speaker. The legislation of the house will continue to be controlled by the republicans. Dem- ocrats will be in the minority on every committee, and scant attention will be shown to their ambitions. Fowler, if elected, will have a voice with the ma jority. The speaker will assign him to all the committees which may deal with territorial affairs. The most that MT. Smith could hope for would be membership on these same committees But Fowler would De cons uIted by his associates of the majority, and his ad- vice carefully needed. Smith would not be consulted, and he could only make intellectual protests or beg fo1 favorable legislation as a personal ia vor.
 So much for the opportunities of the two men, respectively. As to which of them would be most efficient in serving Arizona's interests, there can be nN honest question. All the advan- tage would be with Fowler.
 1 Moreover, the personal equation should not be overlooked. We are re- luctant, however, to follow that line unpleasantly. MT. Smith is a cultured gentleman. courteous and manly, hi. loyalty to Arizona cannot be question, ed, and no good Arizonian woulC wound his feelings unnecessarily. Bu when a man aspires to the highest of flee in the gift of the territory he mus expect his fellow citizens to give crit ical attention to his qualifications AnC in inclination for the drudgery and per sistence necessary 10 achieve things il congress. in alertness and readiness t, meet all emergencies, Fowler hai shown himself to be Smiths superior infinitely.
 Mark Smith belongs to the old schoo of southern statesmen. Honest ant good natured. always ready to oblige loving comfort and ease, disinclined t, mix it" when a fight is necessary, MT } Smith Is likely to be found among tn