The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-09-05
MT S|MMS FOR GOVERNOR, LATE
 POLITICAL DOPE

ing rom the caplIdl ClIy unSA of August 23. :,
 'eMh Simms- secretary or state-today acting governor or tne state of Arizona democrat ic nominee for governor.
 This is the possible succession or events which is proving something or a night-mare in such avowed candl- dates as Charles (Roberts, Munord Winsor and Jesse Boyce. now that IL is becoming more and more certain that Sfmms will be a candidate for the nomination
 .~What will Nit Simms do ana what will the voters do if he goes snnnine for the goyernorship? are uueetions which are giving quite as much concern these days as that more perplexine cenundrum of what does Hunt want anyway?
 Delegations Numerods.
 sThese questions are sometnlne more than idle speculation. For the last 15 days the office of the secre- tary of state has been visited Ie- uuently by delegations whose one am bition has been to get Nit to say 1nat he will run for governor
 .aThese delegations represent mine labor organization farming interests railroad fbrotherhoods and tast out not least, some of the most pomlnent stand-patters of old line democracy to he found in the state From this fact and from the statements made by those who have been interviewing Mr. Simms it is evident that he comes nearer to being a united choice than any other candidate yet announced.
 sSimms does not admit that he IS after the democratic nomination for governor; at the same time he has made certain admissions that ind% rate that he is beginning to bend to the pressure which, for the time being at least appears to be coming from all It Depends sides.
 'When cornered by a Citizen re- porter today on the question of ms plans Simms declared that his only ambition at the present time was to secure second term as secretary Of state, unless
 Do you expect to run for governor? was asked.
 Mitt stroked an imaginary beard .neditatively and finally replied:
 'That depends".
 Are you willing to state for publi cation then, MT. Simms. that you would not be candidate for governor under any circumstances''? persisted -theh reported, to which the. acting gov ernor confessed.
 "I am not ready to answer that ques .tion. will say, however, that have been asked by friends to enter thl race and there is no telling what might happen, though personally would rather serve another term as secre tary of state, but if it should come bout as my friends have been trying t' tell me, that my candidacy would unlte the democratic party in Arizona, thel ' would say that am willing to do all the party thinks best should be done
 And so the cat is out of the bag For months past democratic leaders have been harping on reunited democracy" for Arizona, and here comes Simms, acting governor, tne man of the hour, who is ready to sac rifice his own personal ambitions U he secretary of state to serve as ths Moses of the new cause.
 If there are those who would looi upcn this situation as a huge Joks they would do well to examine into few facts concerning this posslpl' candidate.
 PoIled Big Vote-
 In the first place it must be remem bered that Simms was elected to tn' secretary's office by a 13,eoo maJorltS over Harry Kay, and by the bigges vote ever boiled by any candidate fo' state office. He carried every county except one
 Simns is well known in all parts O the state. He served as state treasur CT for one term without any ser1ou: -citicism. and was member of the con stitution convention. He served three consecutive terms as county recorder of Graham county and has large ant loyal following in both Graham ant the neighboring counties of Gila ant iGreenlee.
 Another point not to- be overlooke' is that Simms has tremendous pres tige among the Mormns e the state He was raised among ehem, an though not in any way connected wit the Latter Day Saints as a church, vast number count him as a fr1en and this feeling is recha~ated, it i said.
 Strong With Labor -
 Simms is reputed te Se especialt strong with the conservatives. of ol ganized labor and at the same tim IS looked upon by certain business 1T rerests as an executive With leVe head who would see fair play to all