Arizona republican., 1919-03-03
G. w. p. and the Democrats

When the result of tho election of last November was made known there was a jubant shout in con- servative democratic circles that Huntism was no more. And again when the governor retired from of flee conservative democratic newspapers cheerfully printed obituaries of the late George w. P. Hunt and conservative democratic citizens stepped lightly and airy as if a great load had been permanently re- moved from the party.
 The Republican at that time ventured belief that Mir. Hunt was far from dead that for time to he would have to be reckoned with and that his enemies in his own party, as well those who not his enemies. who had political aspirations would be led to bow before him and seek his favor. Tho two months that have elapsed fully confirm that view. Mir. Hunt is the dominant force in the democratic party. He is the only democrat in Ar- zona with following. 1t is perhaps not over vhemins one. but it sufficient to maintain him in his dominating position.
 The Republican stated al that time that it did not believe that Mir. Hunt could again be elected to any office in the state It does now believe SO. It does not believe he procure the election of an tvowed follower to office and the primary last fall demonstrated that a Hunt man could not be nomin- atcd unless the opposition to him was divided as it vas in the gubernatorial fight. But no democratic
 
 Is equipped with the consent of Mir. Hunt. These are broad statements and subject to exceptions some Of which appeared last fall when least one candi- date for office was elected In spite of him but generally they stand.
 It was recognition of this situation that pro- duced Senate Bill IT, It was of Huntist origin. We do not mean that Mir Hunt proposed even actively interested himself in it. A word from him would have prevented it would have killed it at any stage of its progress But it was a Huntist measure and its backbone the small Hunt following in the two houses.
 If the good roads conference could have forseen the debace of its program. it should not have gone to the legislature at all; it should have wasted no time in that direction. It should have gone to the former governor and have appealed to him as a cti- zen; should have appealed to his public spirit to hold in leash his partisans in the legislature Or they should have secured from him statement 10 the so-ealled conservative democratic members releasing them from the necessity of yielding to his partsans Then we would have had Senate Bill r.
 Of the fourteen democratic senator's not more than four can be classed Hunt and of the twenty six democrats in the house there are only nine Hunt followers. But these four in the senate and these nine in the house have succeeded in dragooning the majority into support of a bill which they believed to be iniquitous. Members with political aspirations were the first to yield and their personal yielding was not enough They were compelled use the party lash to bring other democrats into line
 In the first session of the first state eeislat1re the power of Governor Hunt was great but if was never even then manifested as it has been in bringing into subjecton the recalcrant democrats of the Fourth legislature.
 We again repeat that the former governor him self so far as we know, took part or interest in ma flor Tltff l,-h
 few followers moved forward and brought the majority Into line The first legislature was swayed by the per 'onaity and substance of MT, Hunt The Fourth egsa ture shivered in the very shadow of him And who i there that thinks George w. F. Hunt is dead Certainly the democrats of the legislature who are not denfea with the Hunt faction dare not think so They are readily coming under the control of the Hur+ i, fluence
 They had hoped 10 serve a united party by tbo elimination of George w. P. Hunt. They succeeded m bringing about perhaps perpetuay his eiintna- uon as an office holder, but he remains in the dic- latorship or democratic politicians. The so-calIcd leaders have superstitious fear of him.
 It is said that mouse renders an elephant frantic with terror
 The smallest of the small following Of Mr. Hunt in 'ue legislature can create panic in the breast of any aemocratic aspirant for office there
 Ihe dominance of Mir. Hunt we should make clear lS not over democratic voters. That has been shown m two elections lt is only democratic politicians or men who hope to become politicians We think tbeir terror Of Mr. Hunt will be bad thing for them. We oeeve that the rank and file of democrats who have twice passed adversely upon Hntsm win reject the leadership of men terrified We feel sure that ,h great body of the democrats of this state will mi m pleased or cdifcd at tho spectacle Of twcnty-seyen  men whom they had elected Co the legislature because 'hey were not recognized as Hunt eating out of the hands of thirteen Hunt followers