Arizona republican., 1912-05-25
Democratic Harmony

The harmony existing between the governor and the democrats of the house of representatives is so mark rdly unselfish as to be almost pa thetic. It is the kind of harmony that cements the bonds of personal freindship. that subordinates pre- disposed opinions to the good of the party. and that moves the governor md the lawmakers to perform con jointly with such amity and good will that anything like serious diff ferences are not to be thought of for a moment
 It is necessary to make this state ment in fact in order fully to under stand some of the things that hap pen once in a while in the legis- lature. If one were not armed with this knowledge he might occasionally get the wrong notion as to these beautiful sentiments He might think. occasionally. that the execu- tive and the lawmaking branches of the state government are not in complete accord He might even be disposed to believe that the legis- lature. and particularly the house, does not entertain that veneration and respect for the executive to which democratic papers so ire quently refer
 As an illustration, an incident hap pened in the house yesterday that might be misleading When the house unceremoniously turned down the governors recommendation to provide for an election the coming fall, minimizing persons might con -true that action as a slap at the Honorable MT Hunt. But it was nothing Of the kind On the con- trary it was doubtless based on the fear of losing the services of our unselfish and patriotic chief execu- tive. For if an election were to be held the coming fall who knows what might happen? There would be the horrible possibility that MT Hunt might not be chosen again. And then what would become of the state of Arizona?
 So the house members. moved by these patriotic considerations. and, mayhap, few personal considera- lions as well. decided against taking any chances. Whats the use of an election. anyway" they reasoned. We're in and Hunts in and we may as well stay where we are. Shall it he said of us that we imperilled the governor-that we were willing to take chance on losing the services of our most admirable chief execu- tive? Perish the thought. Never shall it he said that the first legis- lature of the state of Arizona did anything so foolish We will save the governor even against himself and incidentally We will save our own jobs. To the scrap heap with this notion of holding state election this year"
 And that is just where it went. Despite the fact that on two separ- ate occasions the governor has asked that an election law be passed; des- pite the fact that he has declared the enactment of such a law to be the plain duty of the legislature; despite the fact that he Says the whole spirit and intent of the cOnsti- tuition favor an election the coming fall, the house will have none of it The legislators are playing it safe and taking no chances on chalking mp figures in the error column.
 So. it really seems, if there is to he an election in Arizona this fall it win have to be held under the law as it now exists. There doesn't seem much chance that any act providing for this election can get by the house The constitution doesn't ap- ply-at least not just now. Which puts everything on a satisfactory basis. keeps the pie counter brigade intact. and gives the Hunt aggrega ton just a little tighter grip on th' controller of the democratic machine
 It's a lovely situation and mus give a still rosier tint to the vision! of glory that make beautiful thu sleeping hours of Arizona's chief ex ecutive.