Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-12-29
POLITICS NOT TO BE BURIED

to a non partisan constitutional conven- tion for the new state of Arizona. The Silver Belt can see nothing radically wrong in such move, that is if the del sgation would faithfully represent the political integrity of the commonwealth and that such an. arrangement would not give political advantage in quarters at present minus of prestige. The demo crats claim majority in the territory and the returns from the recent cleo tion would indicate that the claim was founded upon material fact. MT. Cam eron was elected because the voters were led to believe that statehood would follow early in the wake of his triumph. As to the accuracy of this conclusion there is no possible way of determining. Both parties were pledged to statehood, and the pledge was not given on a con tingent basis. MT. Smith was strong man at the national capital and had made good progress in the work of se- I curing single statehood for Arizona. On the face of the returns-county by county-the territory is as hopelessly democratic. today as it was when the territorial conventions were held. The republicans in the national legislature will find little consolation in the figures and no real political significance in the election of Ralph Cameron when the nature of his campaign is known. Ari- zona still remains democratic and the new state will probably elect democratic representatives to the national congress, and full set of state officers. The rs- publican counties under territorial rule will perhaps remain republican under statehood. No politician is looking for radical changes. It is the fear, however, that there is a ''nigger in tho wood pile'' that makes democrats shy at this overature for a non-partizan constitu- tional convention. If the welfare of Arizona was the only point at issue and political tricksters could be barred there is no doubt that good results would bs achieved as the result of the deliberations of body not politically biased.
 In the course of an interview recent ly Judge Nave, a republican whose in- tegrity is not questioned, expressed him. self favorable to the idea of a non-polit- ical constitutional convention. If all men were of the Nave type-if they possessed the confidence of the people to the same extent-there would be little hitch in consummating plans for non partizan gathering. But, unfortunately, the honesty of purpose of quite num- Der of prominent politicians-democrat- ic and republican-are somewhat cloudy and for this reason, apparently un- surmountable barriers are going to be encountered. That the territory will ex- perience one of the hottest campaigns in it's history at the first election after statehood has been given goes without saying. Vantage points are being sought out today, and it is to be feared that the constitutional convention will witness the first real battle in this strug- gle for political supremacy. It should not. But there are few who will deny it.
 Speaking on this question Judge Nave said:
 ''I am very much in favor of the
 proposal that the republicans and , democrats shall unite upon candi-
 dates for the constitutional conven-
 tion.
 1T can think of nothing of par tizan nature which ought to effect the framing of constitution; on the other hand the adoption of a
 sensible, liberal and simple consti-
 tuition will commend Arizona to all the rest of the United States and recommend her to.investors.
 ITO frame such constitution we
 need the services of specially quail
 fled men. If we are to have
 party campaign there will be the
 temptation usual in county elections . to nominate men for their vote-get- : ting qualities. If we bury party diff
 ferences we can pick out the very
 best qualified men in each county and enter the union with a model 3 constitution.
 , "There will be plenty of use later on for the party tomahawk in the
 first state campaign"
 There is no doubt about the truth oi what Judge Nave has said, but there il r feeling of apprehension woven in be tween each of his words and lines tha v will lead the reader to the Silver Belt I Q conclusions and deductions--that thu conflict is now on--and that the selec ton "of good mem regardless o : cresds and beliefs, is something of ; political pipe dream or an air castle O a the visionary and sentimental. :. Anybody who imagines their "Uncl'
 Joe" is sitting up O nights worrying