Arizona republican., 1916-08-19
The Honesty of the Voter


 Our evening contemporary replying it says a large number of inquiries informs the anxious ones that the signature of nominating petition carries with legal obligation vote for the nominee. That true obligation which in the very nature of things cannot be enforced is legal obligation But the signer of nominating petition is under moral obligation for the nominee both primary election and also at the general election if the nominee is fortunate enough to become a can- didate
 Circumstances may arise between the time of sign ins a nominating petition and election which will justify the sgner in honestly changing his Shind Such honest change releases him from any moral obligation to the nominee But the who signs nominating petition with intention the time of voting for the nominee with any mental vation his action the polls with respect the nominee is lacking in his conception Of his duties a citizen and a neighbor. He a very strong man morally. and We should hesitate to accept his unsupported word in any public private matter. In fact, would not accept il. We think We have very mildly conveyed opinion of signers of nominating petitions.
 This brings another less distantly related matter to which have hitherto adverted the registration of voters members of the opposite party for other purpose than take part in the primaries Of that party Early in the registration 
 in nearly all other counties. registered in order that they might help nominate a democratic candidate for governor. Partly by reason of such registration and partly because there spirited contests within the republican party bring voters before the primaries. there is disparity be- tween the republican and democratic registrations In only county in the the republicans in lead. and that is in Pima county, by a small margin This showing while it does indicate the respective strength of the parties, will be fully plotted by the democratic organization after the primary and will doubtless greatly influence the decided vote which generally goes to the apparently stronger side
 We are informed now that representatives of of the democratic factions swarmng this county importuning republicans who have registered such cancel their registrations and register democrats. We have been told that republi foolishly doing in spite of the advice of of the republican leaders. who foresee the evil effect upon the party ticket the general election
 suppose very few republicans who have registered intend the democratic ticket certainly of them will do unless their Of the democratic candidates for governor should be nominated In that perhaps few of them would follow him through the campaign.
 Some of these republicans will find that this pro- cedure will have comeback in after years. ques- ton will arise in case their candidacy office 10 their party regularity and the record will be against them
 Beside the dishonesty of breaking into the demo- cratic party in this way is senseless. We think that all republicans and wo-thirds of the democrats believe that the republicans going to elect next November. whoever may be nominated by the democrats. Republicans can, therefore, have reasonable interest in the result of the democratic contest Their registration democrats can have no effect but a bad one-to irrtate the democratic faction against which their mistaken activities directed and the the defeat of that faction incur it's enmty, with the result that 1t would take the republican party the general cleo ton. when might otherwise be inclined to assist it.
 The members of family may fight among them selves. but when outsider joins the fracas he be- the object of fercer hatred than the original antagonists feel another The sder retains the good will of both sides of the fight ing family.