Arizona republican., 1922-05-21

become an important dOcu-
primary campaign. 1t is
complimentary of the attitude or that
delegation in the conference, but in
general disapprovai of the work of
ernor believes was in violation of the
spirit of the primary law.
He witholds his approval of the
candidates endorsed by the confer
ence and intimates that he will not
approve them until or unless the
Democratic voters have pagsed upon
them. Mr.. Hunt had no objection to
the conference as a place for consid-
ering Democratic measures and for
formulating party policy. He be-
lieves that the policy so far as it was
promulgated was good one, but that
it failed in the neglect to denounce
the proposed constitutional amend
ments which he declares shall have
his opposition in the campaign:
His letter follows:
Gov. Hunts Letter
Phoenix, Arizona,
May II, 1922
My dear Senator Claypool:
feel that I owe it to yourself as
the chairman and to the members Of
conference at Tucson to congratulate
you and your associates for main
tanning the policy adopted by the
delegation, as l realize that it was a
difficult one. under the most trying
circumstances
Ny views on the direct primary are
so well-known to you that they need
no repetition here. The constitutions
al convention enacted an ordinance
for the first state election, together
with a mandate to have the same i'm
corporated into our statutes which
was done, and the direct primary
system of choosing candidates for
office has been our basic law ever
since 1t is true that there are some
Democrats who do not like the direct
! primary and other progressive fea-
| lures under our constitution and they
| have opposed them ever since they
were adopted. / believe in the pri-
| mary, as it is the one great safe
guard of the rights of the common
people in choosing their public Of
| ficials
Calling the conference at Tucson TO
discuss party measures and a plat
form was commendable, but there is
always the danger that a conference
may go too far, as was the case with
THIS one. There is a so-called con-
seryative element in our party, which
represents the wealth, il not the
votes, of the party. which has advo-
Gated doing away with the direct
primary and returning to the con-
yention system and changing things
to their manner of thinking: and in
this conference the opportunity was
taken full advantage of.
The great body of Democrats were
Indifferent to the calling of the con-
ference, and did not participate in the
election of the delegates who attend
ed it, as they felt secure III their basic
right to speak for themselves and
nominate whom they pleased at the
primary election. This right has been
invaded. and we have the spectacle
of the old convention system again in
full force. The grave danger of the
action OF the conference at Tucson is,
that it constitutes precedent, which,
if permitted to be followed. will obvi-
ously in time indirectly repeal our
constitutional primary law for the
nomination by popular choice of can
didates for office.
The conference adopted a splendid
platform, with labor plank the most
virile and far-reaching / have cve1.
seen, for which it should be COM
mended. However. I regret to i.ote
that the platform does not contain a
plank condemning the proposed
amendments to the constitution
which strike a popular rights, which
consider a serious defect.
The candidates recommended by
the conference are all unobiection-
able Democrats. However, / believe,
as do the great mass of Democrats
who felt secure that no ticket would
be named at Tucson which would de-
prive them Of their rights, and WHO
were unrepresented in the conference,
that it is their right to name anyone
they may deem fit for office, and. so
believing. and in justice to myself and
my convictions, in justice to the prir-
ciples of our progressive constitution
and the law of the land, I will not
at this time voice my approval CT yi1e
said conference.
But. after the primary III Septem-
ber those candidates who are loni-
mated in accordance with the law of
our state, will, of course, have my
hearty support.
/ have never vavered in my ailesi
ance to the organic l4w OF our state
and to the wishes of ne electorate.
and I will continue to fight the pro-
posed amendments 10 the constitution
until the people have spoken. J nave
felt, and still feel, that it is more :1n-
portant to defeat them than to geek
office. With this as my earnest Con-
viction, / am still making and will
continue to make every possible ef-
fort to enlighten the people to he
menace of the proposed an1end,nents
to the constitution.
Trusting that this will make my
position plain on this most inlpof.
tant question. and with assurance OF
my kind regards, ! am,
Yours very sincerely.
GEO. W. P. HUNT.
Senator William D. Claypool,
Clavnool Arizona.