Arizona republican., 1922-05-12
What May Happen at Tucson

We do not to anticipate the action of the
Tucson conference; to make up in advance the rec
ord of it's achievement; to say word which would
in the slightest degree influence the course of events
in the state Democratic conference next Monday.
But at this writing we believe that the purpose for
which the conference was called will nscarry-that
there will be no endorsement of candidates for state
offices there.
But for that purpose there would have been no
suggestion of conference. The pretext offered
when the conference proposed for the purpose
of formulating platform and the declaration of
party principles was only transparent effort at
camoufage. That was evident in all the speeches
in the state committee last January when the con-
ference proposed. in the references made to the
niquty of the Republicans who participated in the
Democratic primary
None of the county conferences from which we
have heard have declared in favor of endorsement.
All of them have sent unnstructed delegations and
though so far know the subject of endorse
ment has been raised in county conference it is
reported from all of them that there an atmos-
phere of hostility to endorsement
1t was generally believed. though that the Mari
copa conference would favor it. The delegates to it.
especially from Phoenix, generally chosen with
reference their favorable attitude toward endorse
ment at least with reference their preference
for candidate for governor, and it was expected
Tucson.
Yet the delegates allowed to go uninstructed
unbound to any action in favor of any candidate
AS things swiftly eventuated in the closing minutes
of the conference, believe that the Pugh resolu
ton especially prohibiting the Maricopa delegates
from participating in any endorsement would have
been carried if it had been pushed with vigor The
resolution offered only for the purpose of COM
batting an earlier paving the way for endorse
ment and binding evident minority of the delega-
tion to supposed majority for endorsement.
So far could be estimated the sentiment
favored the Pugh resolution, but the conference
favored relief from a situation which had opened
the way to embarrassment In a motion to table all
motions.
To what extent the written address by former
Governor Hunt the before the county conferences
influenced the action that taken here and else
where do not know. But Mr.. Hunt left no doubt
that he would regard endorsement as unfriendly
act and that any candidate accepting such an en-
dorsement would be looked upon as having consented
deprive the people of the use of their privi-
lege in the primaries.
The attitude of the former governor on this sub
ject was already well understood, though the advo-
Gates of endorsement believed that Mr.. Hunt would
only go so far as withhold his approval But his
hour address made it plain that his opposi-
tion going to be not merely passive, and that
he was not going to accept any action that might
be taken at Tucson the action of majority of
the rank and file Of Democracy.
Whether or not the Maricopa county Democrats
thereby influenced, have no doubt that the
action taken in Cochise, Yavapai. ella and Santa
Cruz is traceabe to the attitude the former gov
ernor