Graham guardian., 1908-10-09
MARK SMITH IN Stafford
Rouslng Reception Given to the
Democratic Candidate for Dele
gate TO Congress

Todd's Hall was crowded to its
utmost capacity last evening wher
the Hon. Mark A. Smith, demo
cratic candidate for Delegate tc
Congress appeared on the plat
firm. Mr.. Smiths entrance was
the signal for long and continuous
applause, as he took his seat with
the reception committee. Besides
the committee there were presents
w. w. Pace, and Phil Merrill, can
didates for Assemblymen, j. A.
Woods, candidate for County
School superintendent, T. s. Bunch
candidate for Probate Judge, A. G.
McAlister, candidate for District
Attorney, David Claridge, eau
didate for Recorder, II. j. Dowdle,
candidate for Supervisor.
Judge Elerby Hall, the chair
man of the meeting, made ring.
ing dem mocratic speech in introduc-
ing the next Delegate to Congress
from Arizona, Mark A. Smith.
Mr.. Smith was greeted with
hearty applause as he stepped for
ward on the platform. Mr.. Smith
made one of the best speeches ever
heard in Stafford and throughout
all his remarks was listened to at
tentively and with great interest,
intermingled with cheers and ap,
plause as he got in good shots at
his opponent, and made it so ap-
parent to every one that this year,
of all years, Arizona needed an ex-
perienced representative on the
floor OF Congress to battle success
fully for Arizona statehood.
Mr.. Smith made a hit with the
ladies present when he declared
that women's position IN America
was higher than in any other
country on earth, and that it was
the duty If every woman present
to see that the men voted the
democratic ticket.
Mr.. Smith gave a brief resume
of his work IN Congress and
proved successfully that he had
accomplished all that was asked
Of him as the representative Of the
people of Arizona in Congress.
He had secured legislation for
every county in the Territory.
He introduced the first bill for ir.
rigatioD, and as member of the
committee, his hand had drawg as
many lines ia that bill as any |
other member of the committee.
He defeated the great land grab of
twenty-five years ago that finally
landed its promoter in prison, and
successfully defeated every land
grab since that time
Iustead of being a corporation
man. his record in Congress show
ed he had opposed the corpora
tions.
When Mr.. Smith related bow
Cameron, the republican candidate,
was asking the people to elec, him
and that he would give Arizona
statehood before March 4tb, be
brought down the house when be
showed Cameron's ignorance Of
he fact that be. Smith, would still
De delegate in Congress until
March 4tb, and that it would be up
% the present delegate to get
Mr.. Smith stated that during 6
ast session of Congress he had Sc
'ured favorable action on over 400
'ension claims, and had secured I
egislation for Mobave, Pima, Yuma i
nd Pinal counties. d
Before closing Mr.. Smith raped ?
resident Roosevelt hard for his b
ttitude on joint-statehood, and
is interference even with the con. .,
litutlon by wanting to change the 4
onstitution through the Federal :.
judiciary. He scored the repub. X
cans of Arizona for ignoring 7
enator Foraker, who fought sue a
cssfully against joint statehood a,
nd had proven himself a friend II !,
, Arizona. :,
Judge Hall next introduced :.
/lley Jones. Mr.. Jones gave - =,
'using democratic speech that q q
as greeted throughout by cheers q .,
I'D applause. Upon the conclu " y,
on of Mr.. Jones' remarks, Judge
all dismissed the meeting.
Mr.. Smith held reception after u
q meeting, greeting many old A
lends and making many new p'