Arizona republican., 1907-06-19
pHoENIX ARIz., JUNE 19. 1907.
THE DENVER LAND CONVENTION

THE DENVER LAND CONVENTION
 We are somewhat in doubt as to precisely what the governor of Cobra ,io has meant in his frequent warn ines to the delegates to the land con yen,.on now in session at Denver against Introducing politics and en- gazing in attacks upon President Roosevelt. It would be highly improp- CT ot course. to infuse politics into such a meeting as the Denver conven- lion was intended to be. It would also ec extremely improper in such a meet iag. 10 make a political attack upon ihe president of the United States, but as we understand it, some of the poll cies 8. the administration with refer ence tc public lands are natural and unavoidable objects of discussion at the meeting. But for differences of opinion which exist as to the wisdom 0: these policies, there would be little 10 talk about at the meeting.
 Any criticism of the administra- ;ion's plan for the regulation and control of the lands ought not to be regarded as a political attack upon the president and we do not think it Will be so regarded, except by those who adhere to the doctrine of Roose- veltian infallibility.
 The president is represented at Denver by his secretary of the inter for, and by other administration of ficials of that department, who are under instructions to offer eXplana- tions of the presidents policy to the end that there may be a better under standing on the subject. These gen. tlemeh who are thoroughly informed regarding the land question, are cap able of imparting much valuable in formation which may reconcile the west to the steps which the president has taken. Their mission is therefore an entirely proper one, and it may be a very useful one.
 Hut there is another class of attend ants. at the convention, federal offic- sais, who have been impelled either hs sheir own enthusiasm for the presi- sicn;, cr have received directions to at ;ea,i.- They are not distinguished for iseir wide information concerning the Issiiic land situation, but rather for their skill in manipulating popular as- Sesahiases. It is reported that they bare boasted that the Denver conven- tien should not be permitted to ex- press an opinion antagonistic to the presidents politics. That is, they are t!.erc for the purpose of smothering ri'{scsiticn. We should regret to be- ltete that attendants of this class are thete with the knowledge and approv- al uf ,he president, for whatever might immediately result from the deIiber- ations of the convention, if it were srn"thered there would follow no bet fer understanding concerning the pub l!c iaGd question.
 me sSsitCN now Tn force with respect [" the public lands was generally dis al'psSsed by western representatives and, senators in the last congress. Tisere csa be no extension of the pol fey s" that the only result of the Den yer deliberations, and that would nec- cssariiS be indirect, would be an abandonment of the present policy by the administration in response to an overwhelming popular demand.
 The presidents direct representa- tives, Messrs. Garfield, Newell and Pinchot, may be able to prove to the convention the wisdom of the admin istration's course. That would be a happy solution of the misunderstood ing, but if they should not be able to do so, and the western men should persist in their belief that the presi- dent has erred, that would be no na- uonal calamity to prevent which fed eral officials of the western states and territories of all grades. occupations and degrees of intelligence have flock ed to Denver to avert