Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-01-14
Our Brave Politicians


dent Taft, requesting the president
to write his views of the pending
constitution. At the same time. Mr.
Smith announces his belief that Gov
ernor Sloan's statements as to what
will happen at Washington after the
constitution is ratified here should be
taken with grain of salt. In
other words, Mr.. Smith, who is play
ing politics just now. with view to
getting his party's nomination for
delegate in congress soon. seems to
wish it believed locally that he doubts
the correctness of the governors
statements. He possibly hopes TO be
in a position to say, Il told you So"
whichever way the cat may jump
We think Mr.. Smith is too shrewd
to believe that he will get any reply
from the president that will be very
enlightening- And if he fails, he of
course will claim. after disapproval at
Washington has definitely disposed of
the statehood matter. that he might
have advised his constituents to vote
against the constitution if he had
known" it would be disapproved.
1t is possible. of course. that Mr.
Taft may, out of mis- great friend
ship for Arizona. go still further out
of his way to give them a pointer.
and he may tell Mr. Smith what he
thinks about the constitution But
we don't think it probable. in view o.
the reception accorded the informa-
ton given out by Governor Sloan.
Instead of receiving that information
with appreciation of the kindly.
friendly spirit which prompted the
president to permit il to be made
known through the governor what
will happen to the constitution if il
goes to Washington in its present
form as to two or three clauses, the
fanatical spokesman for the consti-
tutions supporters at once threw a
series of fits and raised the outcry
that Mr.. Taft was threatening the
people Of Arizona.
According to the understanding of
these critics Of the president. it is a
threat" when you warn a man: IF
you jump out of that window you will
break your neck"
So. why should the president trouble
himself to enlighten Mr.. Smith, when
the publication of his letter would
merely lead to a repetition of the
bowls as to "bluffing" and threats?
II the suggestion of Governor
Sloan had been followed, and an ac-
credited delegation representing the
constitutional convention had gone
to Washington, such delegation would
have elected all necessary informa-
ton from the president, unquestion-
ably. But Mr.. Smith and the other
democratic politicians were too
timid to raise their voice in favor
of such a move-especially after the
socialist leaders. speaking through
George Hunt. had stated they would
not stand for any proposal looking to
confederation of the governors an
nouncement.
Every one of these democratic poll |
ticians is a candidate for office Their |
leadership" is of the sort that as
certains which way the wind is blow
ing and then goes with the wind. |
Throughout the constitutional cam
paign. and throughout the proceed
ings of the constitutional conven
ton. they stood silently by and saw
statehood rushed upon the rocks
because they did not have the cour-
age to utter a public warning To
utter a warning. they believed. would
make them unpopular. While
they resented the capture of the dem
ocratic party by a few fly-by might,
migratory and vociferous socialists.
they were so afraid of becoming "un-
popular" il they dared to interfere
with the socialist program that they |
meekly stayed in the background.
But these politicians have gained
nothing by their pussy-foot, agree
to-everything tactics. The rank and
file of the democratic party had a
right to look to their leaders for in
formation and advice. Neither was
given them. i'm the critical moments.
The American people admire an hon
est fighter. man who resolutely
stands by what he believes is right.
even when they cannot for the mo-
ment agree with him. And when the
time comes for rewards and punish
ments. there viii be no rewards for
would-be leaders who failed to lead.