Arizona republican., 1904-03-19
PHoENIx, ARIz., MARCH 1s, 1904.
In Reference to Some Congressional
 Timber.


 Some democratic papers by pecul- lar process of reasoning have reached n conclusion that the democratic party is sure to win insthe territory this vpar. and they are chortling according iv. Why they assume so many months in advance that their victory is already won is not clear but apparently they asure that the statehood question has something to do with it. It Is true that the Hon. Marcus Aurelius Smith has been elected to congress eight or ten times and the Hon.. John Frank Wilson has been elected to congress twice, on the understanding and promise that he. the said Smith. or he, the said Will son. would beard republican major ity in it's den and wrest therefrom the prize of statehood, but we don't see what right they have to assume that they can 20 on buncoing the voters of Arizona forever.
 In the last campaign. after a des- perate struggle, the democrats only elected Wilson by the slender plurality ct I71, and the conditions are even more encouraging for republican suc- cess in the coming campaign than they were in the contest of two years ago.
 The same proportionate gain for the republican ticket this year would elect A republican delegate to congress, and it only requires careful management and wise nomination to make repub- lican success reasonably sure.
 Without hesitation The Republican could name five or six men, either of whom would stand an excellent chance of election, and we take pleasure in suggesting now that one of these men is the Hon. Joseph H. Kibbey.
 Maricopa county would be especially enthusiastic fin support of Kibbey at the polls. if he were nominated. Demo- cratic by perhaps 16O, normally, the county would be republican by a ban ner majority in support of Kibbey.
 There are no hidden reasons for Judge Kibbey's remarkable strength with the people. They are found in hls character and in his record. His strong individuality has made him force in the territory from the very beginning of his residence. and those whe have known him longest like him best. On the bench, at ihe bar and in the legislature, his intellectual gifts. his culture. hls integrity and his great fund of common sense ha1e placed him im a premier position. Next to his modesty and his presence. his attrib- utes which at once impress acquaint- ances are clarity of mind. frankness, ana sanity.
 And it must be conceded that the man of whom all these things can be said coolly and truthfully. as we say them of Kibbey-said when he is not . a candidate, not in politics, and not before the public-is seldom found
 put il is not alone because Judge KihbaF is really one of the ''big" men of the vest that Mar1copa county would delight to roll up big major ifE EoF him were he a candidate for eongTsEE. He has done things for this teTFitOTy during the past two years which no other man could have done. Encountering chaos. he has evolved system for the irrigation industry of the Salt River Valley, and has assured water storage by the government. The fH9 measure of his achievements will Tot be appreciated. perhaps for years to come. But they are appreciated so much now that Kibbey would be cas- fly the strongest man in the county in a political campaign.
 To be sure. one difficulty of consider able importance would be found in getting Judge Kibbey into the race for congress He womb nro+ast an5 ,,,o,,I5 insist upon his right to attend to his own affairs in peace. and it is certain that be could not be induced to vol unteer us candidate for congress. But the republican party, speaking unanimously. could draft him.