El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-05-08
FRAUD IN ELECTIONS OUGHT
NOT GO WITHOUT PUNISHMENT

TEARLY all Arizona people satisfied with the de
N csion Of Judge ROlla NJ Stanford Of the superior
court Of Maricopa county, declaring Thomas E
Campbell the winner of the governorshp contest IN which
George W P. Hunt the other party Not Republicans
only but most Of those Democrats who voted for Nj Hunt
have to be glad of the decision for Gov Campbell
has already shown himself highly qualified state
tive governor possessed of judgment intellectually and
dignity, and devoid Of feaShnesS; governor for all the
people and not for minority faction He is the first gov
of that type Arizona has known since governor
Richard z. Sloan left office and he IS Of the
people than was governor Sloan His administration thus
has marked contrast that of governor Hunt
Former governor Hunt is again private citizen Of
wealth and business and social standing out Of politics for
The time being unless he decides to appeal this 1t Is
therefore improbable to dwell upon his acts governor,
but it IS not improper to express qualification that M
Campbell Is the governor of Arizona
The whole state feels relief that the time for pickering
and uncertainty IS past Public business has been impeded
N no small degree IN tEs months In winch the goVernorsp
has been dispute It VIII be possible for governor
Campbell proceed with whatever plans he may have for
The states benefit which have been held In allegiance pend
ing the courts decision He will from On be full
5ged governor instead Of half governor Handicapped by
he apprehension that his plans might be upset BY de
sion that Mr. Hunt entitled to the goveTnorshp and
that he step out Of the office which he assumed tenn
pOrar when his election certified by the secretary Of
state.
But In the midst Of this feeling Of satisfaction over the
proper termination of distressing situation, it not
be forgotten that grave election irregularities deve
oped IN the state notably IN Douglas precinct No l. where
testimony showed corruption had existed at the polls and
that ballots changed brazeny IN effort to reflect
governor Hunt VI course MI Hunt was not IN any way
party 10 the frauds which praeticed Liquor dued
consences already almost sufficiently inscriptions to
make such practices possible
There is often tendency, when election disputes like
that Of the goTenorhp have been settled to male
factors leuienty, overlooking their msdeeds and ezempng
them from punishment For the good of future elections In
sTzons let bad example be set in this The county
attorney Of Cohse county should take cognzancs Of
dions Douglas precinct No. forth the heaT
ing Phoenix and make complaints against those who ap
to have been guilty and the should be thoroughly
prosecuted the superior court II convicted the defend
ants should be punished that corrupt elections may not
again COchise county indeed in Arizona II many
day The only way to deal with such frauds demon
strate that criminal practices of that kind cannot be
mitted and escape punishment. BoodeggDg which IS
vigorously prosecuted is mild offence against the state
compared with thwarting the VIII Of the people
pressed at the polls.
Furthermore If irregularities Of character indicating
Crniuaty existed Snowflake precinct Of Apache county
anywhere else the state whether the result to
give majorties either Hunt Campbell they should
receive most careful investigations by the county autor
ties and prosecutions should follow If warranted by the
circumstances.
If there is anything in American political life which
ought to the apprehension and indignation Of every
5en 1t IS the increasing frequency with which election
frauds and Of frauds brought light The bal
lot Of free citizen is republics foundation Anything
which deprves citizen Of his vote any wrong practice
which fair vote to be thrown OUT any baneful
influence which voters to cast their ballots
the VIII Of petty dictator rather than that OF their
conscences any alteration Of ballots ballot box stuff
ing which tends TO defeat tie viii of the majority blow