Arizona republican., 1911-11-27
Attempt of the Democrats to Injure Judge Wells Has a Strong Tendency to React Upon Judicial Candidate.
THERE WILL BE
 A MERRY TIME
Recklessness of the Demo cratic Leaders Will Prob ably Have the Effect of Electing a Republican Justice.

There have been NtIdl lH'tl cS'iiiS developments in Arizona politics the past few days; and it can be sad m all candor that these developments are favorable to the republicans The re- publicans. it has to be confessed, start ed the campaign at a disadvantage Through the concurrence of clrcum- stances and the interpretations O. the demogogic press. the party nal been forced into a false position. IL was charged repeatedly. and without the slightest semblance of truth, that the republicans had been opposed Q the constitution But the fake argu- ment has been so clearly exposed that ii is unlikely that any harm can now result from it.
 As a matter of fact, the democrats have gore d little too far: for m at lacking the republican candidates. they have fired their political buckshots so recklessly that some of the democratic candidates have been injured.
 This is the way it has come about
 The democratic attack was centerec on Judge Wells. the republican candl- date for governor Judge Wells. they raid. voted against the adoption of the constitution: and that is fact. Judge Wells did vote against the adoption of that instrument. as he explained at the time. because he believed its adop- ton endangered statehood. And every body knows how dangerously near wA came to losing statehood through both democratic anu republican antag- onism at Washington to some of the provisions of our constitution. But no one can say truthfully since the con stitution has been adopted that 1t has had q more sincere and loyal supporter than Judge Wells.
 If Judge Wells should be elected gov ernor of Arizona. he will take an oath 10 support the constitution of the TniteI states and the constitution of the state of Arizona: and there is nos a republican nor democrat nor social ist in the state of Arizona who be- Iieves for an instant that Judge Wells would. in the slightest particular, vio- late that oath.
 But after all. if that is to be the argument, republicans are willing t9 meet it. And in meeting it. all they have to do is to ask: What about MT. Franklin?'
 Alfred Franklin is one of the demo cratic candidates for justice Of the su- preme court.
 He was also member of the con- stitutional convention.
 And his stand with reference to cer- tain features of the constitution was precisely the same as the stand taken bv Judge Wells.
 There was. however. slight differ cnce in their actions.
 Judge Wells came out in the open ard said he opposed some of the con- stitutional provisions. He said he be- lieved if they were adopted statehood would be endangered.
 Judge Wells. through all that fight. was to be found in his place in the convention chamber.
 But on the final day Alfred Frank lin was missing He knew the vote would be taken that day. And knew he could not conscientiously vote for the constitution.
 And on the afternoon the vote was taken he did not make his appearance in the convention chamber until he came in in custody of a sergeant-at- arms
 And then he cast his vote for the constitution.
 The question naturally has arisen-- if MT Franlink believed in the consti- tuition and wanted to see it adopted. why was he absent on that day of all days-the day on which the final vote was to be taken2
 IL is here that the advantage Of the republicans comes in.
 Every time the democrats strike at Judge Wells on that proposition. they bit Alfred Franklin.
 In fact, the blow falls just d little harder on MT Franklin: for while Wells pursuad a straightforward. man. ly. clear cut course. Franklin tried to sidestep the issue. He tried to dodge voting And when he had to vote. he voted against his known sentiments
 The democrats tried to argue that because Judge Wells voted against the constitution he should not be entrust- cd with the administration of the laws to be made in pursuance of it.
 Republicans are answering this ar