Arizona republican., 1907-06-15
PHOENIX. ARIZONA. JUNE 15, 19OL
PREMATURE POLITICAL
 ACTIVITY.

We hear now and then of prema-
 ture activity in this territory. in ma
 tional republican politics; of efforts
 made here and there to solidify repub-
 lican sentiment in favor of an in- structed delegation from Arizona to the next national convention.
 Ordinarily the instructed delegation is not a good thing for the state or territory which sends it. In fact. it may be broadly stated that it is always a bad thing except in cases of favorite sons. Arizona will have no favorite son in the convention of 190S-
 The territory therefore cannot af- ford. especially at this stage, to be bound in favor of any of the many excellent republican leaders upon one of whom the presidential nomination may fall. Within the last month there has been g swift shifting of popular sentiment and the shifting may be said to have only begun.
 There is now no doubt that the state of New York will be solidly be- hind Governor Hughes; Pennsylvania has made a strong declaration for Sen ator Knox; Indiana whose attitude toward Vice President Fairbanks. was until a couple of months ago a matter of interesting conjectures, is not only inclined to pay him the formal homage thought to be due a favorite son. but is developing an unusually vigorous support of his candidacy; it is turning out also that Illinois is growing enthu- siastic over the probability that Speaker Cannon will be nominated, to such an extent that the contingency of a second choice is not being consid- cred in that state.
 Secretary Taft has lost none of the strength that was actually disclosed when he entered the arena. backed by the powerful influence of the presi- dent but a great deal of what was re- garded at that time as Taft strength has been definitely absorbed by the other candidates who have been men, AiOhtA. SO llAdA lllt StNAtAdIs dl Iut present moment rests upon an equal footing with the other candidates. that Of a favorite son. with probably less likelihood than any of them of draw ing from the support of other candi- dates.
 The claims of Messrs. Hughes, Fair banks. Knox and Cannon have been forced upon the administration as worthy of recognition and there is in consequence. a growing belief that henceforth the candidacy of Mir Taft will enjoy less of the presidents per sonal assistance than was accorded to it in the beginning.
 In this somewhat doubtful state of affairs it would be the height of Ari- zona republican folly at this time to assume an obligation toward any pos sible presidential candidate.
 Beside, We have no issue yet except ! that one which MT. Bryan has been ! actively presenting in all of his speeches and which he says will be the only one in the next presidential cam | paign-the further regulation and con- trol of the trusts and the railroads In ! that case there is no issue at all be- tween the two great parties. nothing | at all to fight about. so far as any | republican pronouncement has yet ! been made.
 But there is an issue within the re- publican party which is likely to be | the overshadowing one in the cam paign of 1908. It will certainly receive | more attention in the next session of | congress than the trusts and the sub | ject of government control. That is . the tariff question. The demand of ' the republicans of the New England. | the Eastern and the Eastern Middle i states for a revision of the tariff is daily growing more insistent The | more influential republican newspa- pers of those sections are urging that it is far more important that the rev enue laws be adjusted to new con- ditions than it is to continue the agita- tion which has prevailed for the last two years without the production of any beneficial results to the people at large.
 Congress almost certainly will be forced to make a party declaration on this question. It has often been asked to do so before but it has always re- piled. evasively. There can be no evasion now on the eve of a presiden- tial contest. and, so, when the first