The Coconino sun., 1926-10-15
WHAT CAMERON DID FOR CoCoNINo

at was Cameron and 'Bucky' O'Neil who
built the first trail into the Grand Canyon. 1t
was Cameron who beat the Santa Fe railroad IN
the biggest fight ever waged by an Individual IN
Arizona It was Cameron who fought back the
CORPORATIONS and won statehood for Arizona
The above, which is being peddled by Mr.. Van
Dyke. a democrat, an avowed advocate OF the
election of Governor Hunt-the master hand
guiding the candidates. of Ralph Cameron for
Senator and Governor Hunt for reelection, makes
the average old timer laugh.
We are rather mystified as to how Mr. Van
Dyke ever got Governor Hunt mixed up IN his
program, but it seems the governor has fallen
for the Establishments of the Arizona Wizard
of o.
This propaganda from the Miami Silver Belt
is typical of the claims put forth by Cameron
and his friends
Everyone knows, or can easily ascertain the
fact, that Cameron never built the flrst tral1 into
the Grand Canyon; nor was 1t "Bucky ONen-
O'Ners name is merely dragged in for effect.
1t was Cameron who took the trial over from
the old pioneers who had built the trail and then
fought the Santa Fe Railroad company until 1t
paid S4O0 900 for it.
No one bewailed the fact that Cameron sold
the trail for $4,000 to the Santa Fe. As to
whether relocating the trail or mining claims
covering it was ethical after having collected on
it once, is questionable.
1t is an amazing fact but few people knew the
Santa Fe Railroad company had ever been stung
$4,000 for trail it never got. Senator Cam
eron never advertised that fact He just kept on
fighting the "great corporation, demanding his
rights as poor pioneer who had taken over the
rights of the real pioneers.
Senator Cameron's strong plea has always been
his poverty.
The ennity of the Santa Fe officials was cen
tered on Flagstaff for twenty or twenty-five
years. Just how many hundreds of thousands OF
dollars the enmity of the Santa Fe officials cost
the people of Flagstaff by this fight of the little
giant" is probematica
Poverty and promises seem to go hand in hand
with Senator Cameron
Two wears ago Senator Cameron showed his
"unalloved allegiance to President Coolidge" by
coming to Coconno county and fighting tooth
and toe nail against trading the Bright Angel
trail to the government for million dollar road
connecting up the Grand Canyon with the Old
Trails highway.
Strange as it may seem, Senator Cameron did
not mention the fact that few years ago, he de
manded of the county board of supervisors, the
Bright Angel Trail back in fee simple, as it were,
with an offer of S1.00, including Jokers IN the
contract which would have given him the title to
the trail for ever more. Senator Cameron thanks
Williams for preventing Coconno county getting
the million dollar road to Grand Canyon along
with it's up-keep. He did not seem to consider
the fact that Coconino county would have the
money if he had not been granted the right to
dictate.
After having elected Coolidge (?), Senator
Cameron found ample time to fight the appropri-
alton of 100000 for the Lees Ferry bridge be-
cause he felt that he should put Coconno county
on the bum-not because he hates Coconlno
county which kept him in office off and on for
thirty years, but just because he wants to whip
these government bureaus into line and make
them sit up and take notice when he gives them
Instructions Fighting the different government
bureaus is purely personal affair with Gamer
on He does not care what happens SO long as
he can get revenge.