Arizona republican., 1914-04-12
The Return of Mr. Smith

Hon. Marcus A. Smith has returned to Tucson, presumably what breaches if any, have been made in the fences surrounding his senatorial field and to make such repairs as may be necessary. In the course of this repair work he will shortly visit Phoenix, armed with full kit tools for the joining of any loose ends of wires that may have been cut by that trespasser Hon. Reese M. Ling. Much of this work will be undertaken at the lief ferson club banquet in this city where Mr Smith will be given broad subject. free hand and nn- limited time to strengthen his position. Whatever damage may ne accomplished by Mr. Ling on that occasion must he done under the rules or the committee in charge, in five minutes.
 Ar Smith has evidently lost of his polt- cal astuteness. on his arrival at Tucson almost he alighted from the bound Golden State Limited to his rooms the Old Pueblo club he asked How about free tols?' Mf. smith replying that embarrassing interrogatory said that he had not yet expressed himself on that subject which seemed, he said to be more acute in Arizona than in Washington He intmated that he would keep his views himself until ne should be called that question
 Doubtless Mr. smith believed that that the only safe thing say and that it reasonably safe. The voting in the senate is d long way in the future Nobody expects that the matter will reach vote within three months and il is quite possible that the session will end with the subject still in the air There will probably be some early voting senator owens motion to hurry the con sderation of the bill which will line the senators up but while Nh. Smith is in Arizona he cannot D" lined up These preliminares will probably be over before the return of Mir. Smith to Washington and the contest will have become one of endurance in which only those who desire to do so, will come from under and take part.
 But. after all, things nave shaped themselves that it will be difficult. fl not impossible for one to keep his position hidden, and it may be fatal to keep the people guessing where he is The demo crats, all tine country who against the repeal appear to be in large majority and they are without exception. outspoken MT. Ling has already gone on record in d long communication to the Angeles Examiner. Senator Ashurst though not d candidate this year has recorded him self in widely published interview. Representa- tive Hayden has made his position clear by his vote in the house against the Sims repeal bill Democrats generally assume that those who are silent favor repeal of the free tolls clause
 The question is like barbed wire One cannot sit on it. OBym- tried it for awhile in New Jersey and forced off on the losing side republican candidate in Boston congressional dis trict tried to ignore the question and the voters assuming that he was repeal dug grave for him both wide and deep.
 This We realize is d democratic affair in which we have no selfish interest But any time that we can give any advice offer any suggestion that our democratic friends of either faction can turn to profitable use will do so oheerfully They are as welcome services in this respect as they are the air the, water, the delightful climate of the Salt Valley the perfume o1 its flowers the songs of birds or any thing else that we can give without cripping our resources.