Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-01-14

depriving citizens of color from exer-
cising the privileges of the elective
franchise; second, from giving evil
dence, and third by exempting negroes
from paying poll tax. would re-
commend that the statutes of the Ter
ritory be so amended as to conform to
the laws of the United States.
REGISTRY LAW.
I am of the opinion that law for
the registry of the qualified electors of
the Territory prior to an election is
highly necessary. By it, ample time
is given for excluding from the roll all
but legal voters, while if this duty be
reserved for election day with the sur
rounding excitements often attendant,
even with the most scrutinizing care,
illegal votes are liable to be poiled. In
the preparation of such a law, great
care should be taken to afford facilities
for the registration of electors with the
least possible inconvenience.
STATUTES OF THE TERRITORY.
The edition of the Howell Code is
now exhausted, and large number of
officers of the Territory entitled to cop
les cannot be supplied. There are many
ambiguous and conflicting laws upon
our statute books. | would therefore
recommend that you amend such laws
as you deem proper, and repeal all
those not desirable to retain, and then
authorize the compilation and publ
cation in one volume, of all general
laws of the Territory. This plan was
successfully executed in Colorado and
New Mexico, and the necessity for
similar action here is very apparent.
Unless the laws in force are compiled
and published by your direction, it
will be at least three years before the
officers Of the Territory can be sup
piled with them.
GRAND JURIES.
One of the most burdensome expens-
es Of our county governments is that
of the grand juries. The expense of
summoning a grand jury, the fees of
its members, attendance upon their
deliberations, and after long delays be-
tween the apprehension of the accused
and his presentation or acquittal, in
volve an expense that severely bur-
thens the people with taxation, and
often cause so much delay that the
witnesses cannot be found, and fire.
quently results in great hardship to
the accused. In my Judgment, the
necessity which originated and led to
the adoption of the grand jury system
does not exist among free people
possessing equal rights. I call your
attention to the subject with view to
your examination OF it, and determina-
ticn whether any change can be effect
ed consistent with the Constitution and
laws of the United States.
MURDERERS AND OUTLAWS.
The recent murder of three citizens
at Mission Camp and the preparation
of two similar acts, on the ella road,
within the past three years by despe-
radoes and outlaws, have excited ge-
neral alarm and feeling of insecure
ty on the part Of our citizens. Similar
crimes have frequently been perpe-
trated in other sections Of the Territory
by this class Of men, and almost in
variably they Immediately afterwards
flee to Sonora, in Mexico These last
murders were so atrocious in their char
acter and bold and daring III execu-
ton, that [ have regarded it my duty
to exercise every power in me vested to
arrest and deliver to justice the crini-
nails. In addition to offering a reward
of $1,000, | have appointed an agent
and sent him with d requisition to the
State of Sonora to demand, receive
and bring them before our courts.
l would suggest the expedienoy of
your making an appropriation to be
placed at the disposal of the Excecu-
tive for use in cases of this character.
THE INSANE.
No provision has been made for the
care and maintenance Of this unfortu-
nate class of our people, and speedy