Bisbee Daily Review

THE ROYAL ARCH IN POLITICS.

About the worst mistake the liquor dealers of the west made in recent years was the organization of the "Royal Arch" lodge for the indirect purpose of controlling municipal, county and state elections in favor of those candidates which are friendly to the saloon interests. The result of that organization has been to arouse the community, where such an organization exists, in opposition, and a continual warfare has been waged between the saloon interests and the better elements in the community.

The Royal Arch had its origin in San Francisco and believes in doing practical politics. In the bay city the notorious Abe Ruef was the legal adviser of the organization and the record of the organization and the record of the Royal Arch in politics has been one of secret campaign funds which have been used quietly and effectively where it would do the most good.

With the Royal Arch actively in politics the question is immediately raised: "Shall the saloon interests be allowed to control the city government in their own selfish interests, or will the people, who are not directly interested in the welfare of the saloons, exercise their power and manage their own affairs?"

The question in which the Royal Arch of Tucson is directly interested just at present is the approaching city election which is to be held in this city on Monday next. The democratic candidates are standing squarely upon a platform declaring for a liquor license of $1,500 per annum and the Sunday closing of saloons. The republican candidates so far have been silent upon this question and the inference is plain that the election of the republican candidates to the city council means a continuation of the present saloon license, in vogue in this city and with no restrictions placed upon the saloon traffic as it is at present conducted.

Tucson has always been the first city in Arizona to take the lead in regulating these public evils which are a menace to good society and it is to the credit of the democratic party that it has always taken the initiative in bringing about those reforms. It was a democratic mayor of Tucson who first put women out of the saloons of this city; it was a democratic mayor who put a stop to public gambling; it was a democratic mayor who insisted upon a higher license for saloons, and in the approaching city election, it is the democratic candidates who are opposed to the wishes of the Royal Arch.

The citizens of Tucson cannot allow the fact to be published abroad that this city is controlled and dominated politically by the Royal Arch. The selfish interests of the saloon men are not the best interests of the people and taxpayers. The opportunity is afforded Tucson to throw off the yoke in the city election next Monday.—Tucson Star.