Arizona republican., 1904-03-05
The Yayapai Republican
 County Convention
THE WRIGHT FACTION WON
The Attitude of the President on the Joint Statehood Question Furnished the Theme for Debate During the Greater Part of the Afternoon.

Prescott, March 4.-(Special to The Republican)-The republican county convention of Yavapai county as- sembled today to select thirty-nine delegates to the territorial convention at Tucson next Monday, when dele gates to the national republican con Vention will be chosen. The attend ance at the convention today was the largest ever called out by any politi- cal event in this county. There were present 12S of the 14O delegates elected 2t the primaries. The organiza ton was captured by the Wright faction by a majority of thirty, w. C. Bash ford being defeated.
 Hon. 'T. c. Campbell of Jerome was elected chairman and in his speech of acceptance he pleaded for harmony and he stated that his rulings would be impartial. The performance of his duties was characterized by unfair de- cisions and his appointments of com mittees were universally oaesided, parliamentary courtesy being exercised only when the chair was compelled to do so.
 The whip hand was used so dexter
 
 before the. adoption of the platform. This prematureness was vigorously op- posed by the Bashford element, but without avail.
 The battle centered upon the adop- ton of two sets of resolutions, one pre- scented by each faction. The Wright resolutions demanded an instructed delegation to Chicago; endorsed Presi- n ~ administration: condemned joint state hood on general grounds and called for F. L. Wright as delegate to the na- tional convention from Yavapai county.
 The Bashford resolutions differed in sentiment but little in their national and territorial features, but they had a strong and vigorous clause against the presidents reputed stand on the statehood merger That was openly condemned and in the discussion Of this feature al afternoon, the con- vention was thrown at times into a chaotic condition.
 Exchanges were fierce and at times bitter personalities were indulged in No such political condition has ever before prevailed in this section and ] SllOiiS 4AilS udSt vas uSGU dtcuSlnS lTt l Wright element of a fraudulent and unclean campaign.
 Telegrams were read from Delegate Rodey at Washington confirming the ! press dispatches stating that tLe presi- dent favored joint statehood, and from l Delegate Wilson likewise. | The oratorical event of the day was l a speech by Hon. R. E. Morrison in be- half of MT. Bashford and his resolu- i tions. His argument was masterly 1 clean and vigorous and created a pro. | found impression. Attempts were made by Attorney General Wells tC answer the telegrams referring to join statehood, but they were not success | ful.
 w. c. Bashford also spoke for con. siderable time. outlining his career o1 | thirty years as a consistent republican and presented satisfactory reasons foi | asking recognition. District Attorney l Clark made a forcible and able speech l in behalf of MT. Bashford. The Wrigh 1 forces were handled by Attorneys An. | derson and Job, Anderson making tn, | speech of the day for his cause. Tn, | convention concluded it's labors al
 D. m. by selecting delegates for Wrigh and for an instructed delegation tt | Chicago.