Arizona republican., 1908-02-11
SOLD STONE WALL
 OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT
Against Which the Advocates of an
 Instructed Delegation Are Running.

The gentlemen who set themselves the task. or rather, were set at the task, of securing an instructed delega- ton from this territory to the national republican convention are beginning to encounter a smothering adverse senti- ment. Word comes from different parts of the territory that a majority of the republicans are opposed to in- structions on principle and for reasons of policy. This opposition has nothing whatever to do with the opinion of re- publicans with regard to candidates for the presidency. It is based in part upon a resentment of the national ad- ministration's assumption that il owns the territories.
 The Tucson Post which reflects the views of Republicans of Pima which will send a larger delegation to the ter ritorial convention than any other county thus tells why the delegation to Chicago should be left free:
 From the present indications tho coming republican territorial conven- tion for the selection of delegates to the republican national convention will be the scene of a very warm political battle. The lines are already plainly drawn. the gauntlet has been thrown down. and the fight is on. It Is purely and simply a struggle for supremacy between a part of the federal officials of the territory, led by the governor, on the one side and the republicans gener- ally on the other. The federal officers who are prominent in the fight, natur- ally desire an instructed delegation The reason for this is too plain to call for comment. They hold their appoint ment by the grace of the president, and of course, self interest and future hope demands strict obedience to the will of their official maker.
 Let it be understood that the Post has no fight with any candidate nor with the federal officials. The presi- dential appointees in this territory are most satisfactory; they are conducting the affairs of their respective offices in an able, efficient and dignified man. ner, with credit to themselves and to the administration. Bur. are there no republicans in Arizona, outside of of ficial circles, who are capable of at tending to political matters? If there are, shall they be relegated to back seats, or shut out entirely from republican conferences?
 There is little to be said in favor Of instructed delegations at any time. es- pecially in the territories, except from the standpoint of those who are hold ing office by appointment, and who seek to lay the foundation for the further extension of political favor.
 The coming national convention is of peculiar and particular interest to this territory. Much may be gained by careful and judicious management. and to jeopardize any chance of advantage the territory might have by tying up her delegation with instructions for any one, would be little short of crim- inal. Much activity is evident in polit- ical circles, and there are many aspir- ants for the republican nomination for president. There is no one well enough informed at present to say who will be the nominee The literary bureaus are very busy in an effort to convince the people in favor Of their several can didates, but no one man has the whip handle on the situation.
 In this political game Arizona has a hand, and to play her cards before she gets a seat would be the height of foolishness. Let the republicans of the territory select able, level-headed men to represent them in the national con vention and send them absolutely un- trammelled and unfettered; then, once on the ground. they are in position to become acquainted with the situation as it really is and use whatever strength they may have to advantage.