Bisbee daily review., 1916-12-08
Friday Morning, December 8, 1916.
GOVERNOR HUNTS CONTEST
AND THE PEOPLES WI

AND THE PEOPLES WILL
 Until human nature undergoes such change that hope ceases to spring in the breast Governor Hunts action demanding recount of the gubernaorial ballot what be expected. It follows that the fact of his making initial should not be preiud cia to the proceedings if he conducts himself-'with clean hands,"
 There is a phase of the situation, however, which necessary reservation in discussing Governor Hunts connection with the pending recount He has proclaimed almost religious fervor his championship popular rule; his advocacy of accepting he will of the people" final expression of judgment
 We believe the will of the people" of Arizona as re- corded the election irrespective of technical in expressionlef doubt to their rejection of Governor Hunt and his policies. It is generally ceded that his sole hope of continuing in office is contain ed rejection of those ballots which crossed in straight Democratic column but also marked in favor of Mr Campbell In these ballots he will of the people,
 clearly indicated endorsing Mir. Campbell and repud ating MT Hunt That these voters committed an rregu arity cannot be gainsaid they should penal zed to the extent of having their ballots nvalidated seems iniquitous
 The sole mission of the ballot is to provide qualified with for participating in the selection of  comply implicitly with those regu ations as manner of marking which adopted al most exclusively to expedite what might be described as the mechanical" of counting Put in another way the straight ticket was not adopted purpose pre- venting his preference some candi- date candidates included under party caption It adopted convenience for voters who con- with endorsing candidates of single party. Com plying with the rules of voting therefore. is considera tion subordinate ascerainng the WILL of the
 It is significant also laudable that refrains from making any charges of fraud. His petition goes further than alege that 'ilegal cast and counted for Mir. Campbell each and every precinct of each every county" and that for the Governor each every precinct of every county in the State"
 Thus is reference made to the muchdiscussed straight ballots and this issue alone Hunt bases his action Thus he himself of popular attained through the will the people, if it be conceded that in departing from the straight ticket and voting for Mir Campbell hundreds of citizens indicated clearly, but in irregular manner, their preference for Mir Campbell
 We can conceive of no greater misfortune to Arizona than the induction into office of Hunt under circumstances brought by ignoring the will people" the count as close as is proved by the official returns, right demand recount must be unquestioned Basic mistakes may have been made which. if discovered may change the results. Mir Hunts action in demanding recount reprehensible solely in the that all other things being excluded he attempts defeat the will Of the people by deInand ing the invadaton of those ballots which bear eloquent y the intent of the although they fail conserve the dictates of a formality