Navajo times., 1963-03-07
Raymond Nukui
Continued from Page u

Continued Page u
ed on blackboards they came in by Arthur Hubbard
election supervisor, there appeared slightly favor
able trend for Paul Jones. About 900 % m Naka and
Jones appeared to be in a horse race with the lead
alternating the returns to the election board.
By 1000 p M, Nakais strength became apparent and
observers started sensing the Nakai trend Several key
precincts still out at that time in which it
felt that large Jones could have closed the gap
By 11:OO .m however, the trend clearly estab-
llshed especially with returns in where Jones
had expected to strongly, but which did not give
him the votes expected. In fact, Nakai very high
vote counts in many of the Jones strongholds.
Samuel Billson had been expected to run heavy in
several large voting areas, and particularly in the
Shiprock region. Nakai's amazing showing in these
areas, where he generally we'll ahead of Biison
considered bad sign for JONES' the Jones camp
had expected Billison the Naka vote suffi
GENTLY help the Jones apparent that the
election going to be either close contest, that
Jones in trouble.
The trouble became apparent when Nakai kept show
ing large votes in when Jones people had expect
ed overwhelming Jones vote. Consequently, Nakai
effectively neutralized Jones many of his supposed
stronghOlds, while moving ahead in other areas.
The speculation was high Wednesday to the in
terpretaOn of this vote There were questions con-
corning the possibility that Blison may have taken
enough Jones votes to enable Nakai carry the eec
tion Many said that the Jones camp had not kept in
close enough contact with the chapters Some said that
started too late his campaign and in
close touch with the People.
Considering the strength which Naka attained all
the reservation and off reservation it appears to
this writer that Nakal planmeQ long anQWell
campaign and had effectively sold himself to the Navajo
people through we'll organized and personalized
proach While revolt against the present admins
tration should be considered it should be noted that
Billison ran strong anti-administraton campaign,
while Nakai rerained from direct attacks the Jones
administration but rather campaigned attaining hu
man dignity and Individual freedom for the common
His victory indicates that there many more fac
tors involved than an anti administration vote, nd
illustrates the response of the individual Navajo to the
81 ut Nok okoi
at the press conference held at Window Rock eb-
ruary 10.
The Navajo People have made their choice in an
overwhelming turnout of voters, using democratic pro-
for the selection of their in the
Tribal Government. This in itself is good sign OF
progress which carried into local elections,
will one day see the Navaos exerting very strong
influence in local and state elections, with NavaJos
probably holding respected political offices.
The Navajo Times has observed the hard lighting
candidates of all camps and the workers striving
for votes in each camp. There is probably no more
grueing and ndnervewrackingpac than strongly COM
nettive political campaign. Unfortunately, there can
be just so many winners ..,
Therefore wehope the avajopeople will join with
us in expressing sincere appreciation Tor these
many weary people, in both winning and losing posi-
oiv of their time.