Arizona republican., 1907-12-09
THE INSTRUCTED DELEGATIoN.

To the Editor of The Republican:
 Sir-I remember that a few weeks ago you printed one or more edito- rials in opposition to an instructed delegation to the next republican na- tional convention. I have failed to ob- serve that you have maintained this war upon the instructed delegation but instead. I infer from recent utter ances that you favor the candidacy of Foraker Has your zeal in behalf of the uninstructed delegation abated in his behalf? Am l to understand that it makes a difference whose OK has been gOred?
 4 CASUAL READER.
 Casual Reader is to understand nothing of the sort. The zeal of The Republican for an uninstructed dele gation is unabated. not only with re- spect to the next" national cOnven- ton. but all national conventions. This is a principle with which the candi dacy of MT. Foraker has nothing to do. To instruct a delegation for him would be as fragrant violation of that principle as to instruct a delegation for Mir. Taft or President Roosevelt.
 The Republican has attempted no concealment of its friendliness and gratitude to Mir. Foraker. In fact il expressed it, we think, unmistakably while that gentleman was heading the fight of this territory for its very ex- istence. throughout the greater part of the long session of the Fifty-ninth congress. In that expression of grat- itude and friendliness a very large majority of the citizens of Arizona joined. They did not regard Mir. Fora ker as a prospective candidate for the presidency. but as a strong and devot- ed champion in a time of need.
 We do not think that the gratitude of many who earnestly opposed joint ure has waned since that memorable defense of Arizona, but that most cit izens now believe that a man who was good enough to be Arizona's champion is good enough to be Ari- zona's choice for the presidential nom ination.
 In a survey of a list of possible can didates we see none who has so strong a claim upon Arizonians as Mir. For aker Indeed we know of no other who has any claims at all upon us. That claim alone would not of course make MT. Foraker the fittest or most available candidate but looking over the list again We can see no other man better fitted by experience, acquire ments and natural ability. to be presi- dent. or candidate for president than Mir. Foraker. Fer years he has been among The most conspicuous figures of the senate. He has, we believe, scented to the mistakes of others. whether of his own or the opposite party. There is in all public life no man more deserving of the title of statesman.
 We believe we have made it clear in the foregoing that The Republican is not averse to Mir. FOrakcr as a candi- date. but it would oppose on prncipIe the instruction of a delegation for him or for any other man. We believe that a majority of the republicans of Ari- zona would wish their delegates to cast their votes for Mir. Foraker if he should be a candidate before the convention. but We do not think that majority of the republicans of this territory would favor the binding of the delegates against the exercise of a clearer and later judgment which can best be formed after they reach the conven- ton.