Arizona republican., 1916-02-10
The Qualification of Candidates

The Qualification of Candidates
 The thing coming to be uppermost in the Phoenix mind is the selection of mayor and two members of the commission. Many citizens hon. esty think, and all of them will say that the thing to do is to choose the best men-honest, level headed and aggressive men, regardless of party, who are not likely to build up factonal or party machines has been found very difficult the past and far this year, to get such men to as candidates.
 Now and then man has been proposed, but objection has been made to him by well-meanng that while he would be almost model official, with general qualifications he is known entertain certain strong views this that point. We will say, to make meaning clear, that he is known he strongly for against the municipal owner ship of electric light and power plant. There fore, he is is not acceptable
 That would be very objection an objection to the color of the hair of candidate. If he possesses the qualities which have generally been prescribed official a good in spite of his personal opinion any subject Too much is involved in the proper duct of the multifarious affairs of the city cude good because of his personal attitude toward any policy, for if his attitude is improper one, it is rather harmless one since all vital policies must be determined by the people
  ship for the purpose of illustration. It can make little difference whether commissioner all of them for against it. If they for it, they can do nothing until the people have authorized them to act. If they should be against it, very small number of citizens could force them sub- init the question the peopleS who would then give the commission instructions. So it is with every other important policy
 The conduct of the business Phoenix is more important the citizens than any policy and the views of candidates with respect to policies worthy of far less consideration by voters than records of the candidates honest and capable men. If we exclude strong, efficient because of their views leave the field open to mediocre incompetent actually corrupt dis honest men, who have views to public policies or else have concealed them
 In the discussion of possible candidates, the ob- fction has sometimes been raised as to this that candidate that though he is in every way a desir- able for office he is not available because he cannot be elected Some such have doubtless been dcerred from becoming candidates by this fear of defeat. believe that the voters of Phoenix are in a temper elect good men, and that if a considerable organization who really desire good government get behind movement for good government and getting the out, any good man, regardless of his personality, can be elected. That inferior elected is be- cause mary voters remain away from the pols and always happens that all the supporters of inferior candidate whether many few, cast their votes
 It is essential that we come to a right under standing regarding these matters, and that of capacity and affairs be encouraged to stand for office. Then the discharge of public duties will be regarded service and office itself will not be looked upon snap and opportunity. It is the curse of government from the federal down the municipal that aspire to office either for the money in it for the supposed honor that at taches to it These things do appeal to the best and. therefore, as rule those who not tho best are attracted and given the right of way That is why government in this country is generally wasteful and inefficient