Arizona republican., 1913-12-23
The Phoenix Primary

The readers of The Republican have had an opportunity famiarize themselves with the pro visions of charter as it was officially pub sfed n this paper for some weeks. No doubt most of our readers made study of those features which directly concern action of the voter but they may by this time have forgotten details of the machinery. The thing that first concerns them is the preliminary step in the matter Of choosing officers by means primary and then. if necessary. b>- the general election.
 The privileges which the exercise are simple but very important and he should impress himself from beginning with his duty to exercise all of them. First, he will be called lpon his signature of nominatin petitions for every candidate must be nominated by petition Al stat ted before the primary. the city clerk Gin this case the city recorder). must have pre- pared distribution printed of petitions for nomination.
 A petition may be signed in favor of any can ddate by any voter who has signed petition for another candidate for the same office. When several candidates be elected to the same office that is. the same board or commission, the voter may sign the petition many ddates as there places to be filled Thus, voter, may sign four, but not more pe- candidates for places on the commission.
 order that candidate may before the primary his petition must bear at least three per cent as many names a there for candidates for the office of mayor preceding election, account of the agreed-upon non- partisan formal character the election last May, only S76 cast for all candidates mayor that candidates before the primary will have secure only twenty-seven names their petitions.
 The petitions may be filed not less than twenty days before the primary which be held this year on February The time for filing began sixty days before that i signer of peH tion who changes his mind and wishes to with draw his signature must do at least twenty eight days before the primary.
 the signature of the petitions. the voters have discharged all the duties they perform before the primary we mean all the duties they will have perform directly in connection with the election, but their interest in it should not be abated. But the day of the primary they have d very important duty discharge.
 Chapter XII of charter, relating to the pri- mary and general election. well other essen charter, drawn the assumption that all would perform their full duties citizens q considerable number should do so our charter would be very evil instrument, than the old which have discarded.
 Primary elections past have usually called heavy ecited great interest. Voters have understood that they have had another chance at the general election. But it is under stood that every voter should be at the polls on February II for that may be the last opportunity they will have for voice in the choice of their officers. According o charter d candidate at the primaries who receives q. majority of the will In there will be general election. Thus d mayor of the commissioners might at the primary by d very small minority of voters in the city.
 The voters of Los Angeles years ago learn ed lesson by a primar, election for mayor, members of the council, bers of the school board and city officers. out O voting population a 2OO.0OO only about 4G,OO0 Hartman the socialist can didate mayor votes. Alexander and three other candidates fnsignfi- Hartman below a majority The socialists had done their duty citizens. the scare awaI- ened Los Angeles, and Alexander al the general election chosen by a large majority 15000O votes. We how nearly Hartman elected by q little more than one-tenth the 
 The foregoing the high points cpaI primary system upon which should keep their minds focused until the evening o February II.
 Then after the primary there will be another period watchfulness. vigilance will be the price of good government but ter it will be such government will be worth the vigilance that can be bestowed upon .t