The Winslow mail., 1926-07-09
Hunt Announces
Candidacy For
Governorship
Continued from Page u

terests, who has attacked the DEM
ocratic administration of this State.
| The attack came as complete sur
prise to me- 1t was entirely un-
warranted, and it grieved me deep
ly, as he is one of my appointees
and one taking a leading part in
the administration of our Univer-
sity.
Following the publication of my
communication to Mr.. Van Dyke,
received hundreds of letters and
| kilograms, and visits from citizens
who came from all sections of the
State, urging me to reconsider my
decision not to be a candidate. The
requests came from people in all
walks of life. I have also received
petitions bearing several thousands
of names which have been volun-
tarily circulated by citizens of our
State, asking that 1 again be can
| didate for Governor. In spite of
my decision, the insistent demand
| that l be a candidate is such that
| in view of the emergency confront
| ing the state with reference to the
Colorado River, l have decided to
seek the Democratic nomination
for Governor of this State.
Although my policies are well
known to the people of Arizona,
there are several questions pending
upon which I think it well to COM
ment. Arizona is growing and it's
institutions must keep pace with
the growth of the State If elected
l shall advocate and urge upon the
Legislature to provide for build
| ing program to extend over a per-
iod of at least five years, to care
for the needs of all the State insti-
tutions. I have advocated, and
shall continue to insist, that ade-
quate finances be provided to COM
plete the per cent system of Fed
eral-State Highways. I shall als0
suggest the building of additional
highways that are necessary, such
as the Rice-Springerville Road, and
the construction of bridges, such as
are needed at Lees Ferry, Tempe,
Aqua Fria and other essential
points, and the hard surfacing OF
roads where economically justifi-
able.
Land Department
The State Land Department for
the past four years has been free
from the complaints leveled against
the preceding administration OF
this branch of the State govern
ment. 1 shall oppose any change
in the administration of the de-
partment or the adoption of any
policy, which might cause it tC
merit adverse criticism.
Banking Department
It was the constructive policy
pursued by this administration, in
spite of some defects in the pres
ent banking laws, that enabled Ar
iona to pass through the financial
crisis which caused the failure OF
hundreds of banks throughout the
western states. That Arizona was
unable to escape some losses was
primarily due to excessive loans on
certain classes of property, made
during and following the war, and
to the six years of drought, and bad
agricultural conditions that have
been nationwide The true reflex
of the banking situation in Arizona
is indicated by the fact that there
are million and a quarter dollars
more on deposit in the banks of the
State than was the case when my
administration took office in 1928.
The thorough investigation of the
banking situation by the Sixth
Legislature resulted in some rec
concentrations being made, but the
Seventh Legislature failed to enact
any legislation on this subject. Our
banking laws can be strengthened
somewhat, but the assault being
made on the Banking Department
is entirely unwarranted. I shall
discuss the subject fully in anoth-
er communication.
! Code Revision
The next legislature will be call
ed upon to revise our civil and
penal codes. The great majority of
the laws on the statute books were
enacted under my administrations
Agitation has been started in GER
tain newspapers advocating the re-
peal of some of these laws. If I am
elected Governor, none of the pro-
gressive legislation on the statute
books will be eliminated or de-
stroyed if I can prevent it by a
veto.
Public Domain
[ shall continue to advocate that
the public domain in the State of
Arizona be turned over to the State.
1 shall also insist upon the right
of the people of Arizona to govern
themselves free from harassment
and dictation from bureaus in
Washington.
| Colorado River
My attitude and policy on this
great question has been defined
| frequently. The Board of Directors
of State Institutions of which
am Chairman, has asked the Fed
eraI Power Commission for a per-
NIT to construct dams at Bridge
and Glen Canyons on the Colorado
River, so that Arizona may receive
an adequate share of the benefits
to be derived from irrigation and
power development.
I shall continue in the future, as
in the past, to try to effect an ami
ioa hlo settlement 0f fho nnocfiO0 g