Arizona republican., 1906-05-02
PHOENIX, ARIZ.. MAY ?. 1906.
JUST WHAT IT MEANS.

At the outset of the municipal cam paign which closed yesterday with the election of the republican ticket The Republican pointed out what was in volved in it-indirectly. the gambling question.
 While neither of the conventions had made a declaration of policy with re- spect to the question the democratic convention ignored it entirely while the republican convention undertook to ascertain the will of the people on the subject of gambling.
 This was the only issue, if 1t might be called an issue, and if it may not be called an issue 1t was so nearly one that it had the full force and effect or one. as the count of the votes last night proved most unmistakably.
 While as we said at that time, there had never been a clear expression by the voters of Phoenix on the subject of gambling, there was a sentiment which it was folly to disregard. The republicans promised to measure this sentiment. The democrats treated it as If 1t had no existence. Whatever may be the views of voters on any question they will naturally embrace the opportunity of recording them. The republicans offered them an op- portunity and the democrats did not.
 Both conventions adopted platforms commendatory of the principle of mu- nicipaI ownership of the water works and both were aware at the time they were doing it that there was no issue in it; that there was absolutely no op- position to the principle. On the part of the republicans the plank was not inserted to eaten votes but as a recog- hilton of something already done. The democrats foolishly sought to make it an issue. to create something out of nothing, to weave out of this trans parent nothingness a veil to cover the only subject in which there was any popular interest.
 The people were never deceived or blinded for an instant The vote shows that they never took their eyes from the only principle which had been presented.
 The republicans entered upon the campaign apparently seriously handi- capped. They were met in the begin ming with trouble in finding a candi- date for the head of the ticket and a vacancy was left which the central committee was unable for a week to fill. This was in itself enough seem ingly to insure defeat in the brief campaign before them. The demo- crats on the other hand had never nominated a stronger ticket, Not a word could be truthfully said against the character or ability of any of their candidates. They all had the conf dence of the voters and back of them was a party which was thoroughly united for the first time in years. Blu; they had nothing to stand on anl throughout the campaign they were continually placed in a false position before the voters.
 The republican ticket, too, had 9 record behind it, and more than all it stood for something. This was thl secret and the only secret of the vic tory yesterday.
 The result will be variously inter preted. Some are already inclined tc regard it as a declaration upon the main question, the only question. But there is one thing about which there can De no dispute. It was an unequiv- ocal demand that the main question b. brought forward to be disposed of.
 Incidentally the city has been pro- vided with a strong administration Mayor Coggins is a man of the highest integrity and Messrs. Christy and Cis- ney are such level-headed business men as are necessary to a successful direction of municipal affairs.