The copper era and Morenci leader., 1914-11-20
THE V|ND|CAT|ON OF
GOV. HUNT
Chief Executive Addresses Statement
to People Resretting Only the APP
parent Defeat of Bill to Abolish
Capital Punishment.

The following statement has been
issued by Governor Hunt on the re-
suit of the election:
Never in my life-either in days of
darkest adversely or radient hours of
triumph-have / been so profoundly
conscious of my debt to my fellowmen
as when, in the unofficial returns from
the general election 1 read the elector-
ate's decree by which justice and prog
ress have been Overwhelmingly sus-
tanned, and from which have derived
the supreme honor of being elected as
the states chief executive for another
two years. At such time 1 am keenly
aware of the deficiency of words as
medium of expression, and of their in
adequacy to convey such a sense of
gratitude and enhanced responsibility
as results from the realization that my
fellow citizens have again conferred
upon me one of the greatest honors
and rewards within their gift 1
shall, of necessity, therefore,, have to
content myself in this hour of victory
with reiterating my loyalty to the
people of my state and with the as
surance that the best of my ability,
energy and judgment will be freely
given in fulfilment of my duty to the
public which 1 serve. More than this
no man can do, and by no more i'm
pressive means can one hope to ex-
press his gratitude, sincerity of mo-
tive and earnestness of purpose From
this all too imperfect and faulty as
surance may my many supporters
hr0 1Oho h. k4A@ T..
regret, the depth of my appreciation.
But hwile 1 am very much gratified
with the outcome of the recent election
viewed as a whole, 1 feel it my duty,
nevertheless, to express my great re-
greet at the evidence that certain pow
ertul interests in this state have seem
ingly decided adversely by their vote
on certain humane and constructive
measures leading to better govern
ment and higher citizenship. Es-
pecially Is this insidious corporate in |
fuence apparent in the returns receiv- |
ed on the abolition of capital punish |
ment from certain precincts which are |
reported to be under the |
of special interests antag- |
onistic to the present state administra- |
ton. The vote indicates to the best |
casual observer hat influence from |
higher up, rather than the untrammel- |
led will of the people. determined the |
tate of an issue commensurate with |
true humanity and civilization It is |
therefore, that should deeply |
deplore the fact that the hostility of |
certain interests toward me personally
should have been Indirectly the means |
by which the abolition of the death |
penalty has apparently been deferred /
in Arizona.
The unhappy spectacle afforded by |
/ few arrogant corporations in show
ing themselves so eager to retain .
penalty which seldom overtakes the /
itch man, but which falls with fire.
luency upon the poor, may be left,
without further comment constituting /
me highest public tribunal
Notwithstanding, nevertheless, the
alta cks of certain powerful interests
Turing the past two years, I do not 4
ind in my heart today any vestige of i
'sncor or animosity toward those ele-
nerts which are blinded by their own
toward such precepts and
Institutions as are designed to secure
equal justice for rich and poor alike
ind to elevate all mankind by the /
,enefcence which they bestow
1t is, likewise, to be hoped that the
victory of the people may not be tine
ured with any needless resentment to-
ward those interests which have, ap-
during the campaign recently II
expended much effort in ,
public issues, and in at
emptfng to wrest the balance of power
rom the people in whose hands it K
fgEtfully belongs. May we rather Il
show disposition to condone the oc-
urrences of the past while anticipat-
between capital and labor {
egarded as two separate and essential l.
ctors in modern civilization. Such i
,oEdonement, however, does not sug-
Jest any leniency toward those deplor-
bile methods whereby public servants s
lave in the past been redered subser- /
lent to others than their constituents,
md by means of which the functions
# legislation and government have
,een perverted to selfish ends.
Corporate power can become vast
influence for good, but to do so, it
must first acquire a disposition to =
mite forces with the general public in
he upbuilding of the state. 1t must ]
Inevitably substitute progress for re-
repression and manifest toward the +
,eople such confidence and square i,
Iealing as it has a right to expect in
eturn. Under such a dispensation, {
organized wealth ceases to become a t
menace, assumes it's proper place as
ally OF the general welfare, {
nd would undoubtedly find the people
become friendly, instead of
In concluding this post-election +
tatement to the people of Arizona, s
Who have so highly honored me, 1 +
enture the ardent hope that the i
reatest possibly harmony and coop !
ration may characterize all depart r
nents of the state during the next !
wo years, and that when the services
f the new administration shall have $
cen concluded, the public may be t
1easantly conscious of further marked
dvancement toward an ideal govern
lent.