Arizona republican., 1911-09-21
II WAS 4 GENUINE LOVE FEAST WHICH
 DREW THE PEOPLE FROM EVERY SECTION
There Were Many Eloquent and Stirring Speeches and the Only Disappointment Was the Enforced Alb sence of Governor Richard E. Sloan who was Called to Prescott by the Serious
 Illness of His Wife.

Fully in keeping with plans and eX
 pectations, Phoenix last night witness
 ed the largest political meeting eve
 held in Arizona and one in which tn, interest of those assembled was a. keenly alive as on the occasion of any former meeting. large or small. | was primarily a welcome home {, Ralph Cameron, Arizona'S delegat, who secured statehood. but il wa. more than that. It was the occasion of the personal announcement by botf MT. Cameron and Hoval A. Smith, oi their candidacy for the United States senate. Moreover it was a grand con ference of the leading republicans oi Arizona with a mass meeting of the people of the biggest city in Arizona over matters of vital political import ance. following a day of notable con ferences by county and territorial com mittee leaders.
 But there was one disappointment The events of yesterday were largely undertaken on the initiative of Gov ernOr Sloan. He appointed the com mittee that arranged so successfully for the big meeting of last night and was scheduled for one of the princi- pal addresses. But at late hour yes terday he was apprised of the illness of Mrs. Sloan in Prescott and left for that town on the evening train. His address had been prepared in manuscript and Mayor Lloyd Christy read it The audience had the bene- lit of the address. but it missed the
 
 promptu remarks that would have ac- companied it, while the governor miss ed the ocular evidence of the glorious result of plans he had been instru- mental in devising.
 It is trite to speak of red fire and hurrah at a political meeting Lut last nights demonstration was such an un- usual one that 1t is a legitimate part of the news of the event. Red fire in bulk and in candle form conven- tent for firing, Illuminated the entire business section from an early hour in the evening until the meeting was over reflecting picturesque shadows on the background of the thousands of flags with which the city was decorated. Electric lights in myriad number hung in festoons across the city plaza and the city hall and band stand were tastefully decorated in the national colors. An immense platform was built in front of the city hall. large enough to accommodate perhaps a hundred speakers from outside points in the territory, together with com mitteemen and guests From early in the evening until the speaking began ha Liberty band paraded the streets and fgrnished music to the assembling thousands. some I5OO of whom had ap- propriated the seats arranged in front of the stand long before the speak ing began It was not only the larg- est political meeting ever held in Phoe- nix but those who attended it did so with greater comfort than on any for mer occasion. And to crown # all the weather was ideal. in suspicious con trast to that of the former meetings when the opposing political cohorts have held forth.
 The Speaking
 J. C. Adams. chairman of the com mittee of arrangements, performed the duties of chairman. He made no long speech but couched his introductions in appropriate. humorous and timely phrases. The first speaker was Mayor Lloyd E. Christy representing Cover nor Sloan. The governors paper dwelt largely with the proclamation which he issued yesterday and gave fitting response to criticisms and stric- lures that have been made by inter ested opposing partisans. on his seem ing delay. It is quite satisfactorily ,x- planatOry to one who cares to be fair and demonstrates that the governors purpose was not to favor any party but to protect all parties by d care ful following of the law Later his address pays fine testimonials to Pres ident Taft, Delegate Cameron and to the citizenship of the territory, calling attention to the high responsibilities that rest upon the people at this time. owing to the demand upon the col umns of The Republican it is impos- sible to publish the governors ad- dress in this issue but it will be print cd fin full tomorrow morning and it's pergkal will be food for thought by every right minded reader.
 The next speaker was John z. Will Hams. district attorney of Cochise county. a fine looking and fine talk ing gentleman whom gossip nas con- nected very closely with the position of representative in the lower house. from Arizona. Mir. Williams has the