Arizona citizen., 1878-02-01
County Indebtedness and Supervf-
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 Of late these have been subjects of much and varied comment in the Ari- zona journals. Yavapai's indebtedness, us per statements of its own papers, isl about 150,000-either actually incur red or the Inability created by law. Yuma appears, as per Sentinel's state ment, about s50,O0O in debt. Pima isl understood to owe above $30,0O0; Mar icopa and Mohave are considerable in debt, just how much we have not seen publicly stated. Comparatively speak ing, PInal is free of debt.
 In commenting upon county indebt- edness, various views have been ex- pressed by the local papers, but the general view taken is that it IS a mis- fortune-a matter of public discour- agement Whether the debts in ques- ton are or are not misfortunes to the several counties, depends upon circum- stances, and should not be thOughtless- Iy used as levers to break down credit and prevent enterprise, while officers and individuals are at fault, and off cers and individuals may, if they will, prevent any unwise increase and do much to repair past wrongs where per petrated. Like an individual, a cOun- ty may wisely or unwisely go in debt. If county gets actual value for its outlays and obligations, and the things received are really needed, then the debt is not to be deplored; otherwise it is. As a rule, it is in our opInIon bet ter to owe for needed and good pubic buildings than to be paying rent for un- suitable ones. It is often better pol icy for an individual 10 rent buildings than to erect; not so with county. Individuals are quite liable to change locality; counties are permanent, and so.are ecounty-seats with rare exceptions. Individuals often fail in business; coun- ties very rarely do, and no failure of 8 county is within our knowledge.
 While some of the Arizona county debts are too large and perhaps partly incurred without value received, partly for no value, and partly for payment of
  bills which could have been prevented by watchful board of supervisors, yet the resources of the counties are ample to meet all claims without seriously crippling business men or enterprises. The Territory and counties are young. They have just entered upon business. They have just fairly settled into the conviction that they are to have per manence. Heretofore they have not paid that attention to the selection of supervisors that they should have done. It is we'll enough to select heavy lax payers for these responsible positions, if such taxpayers will seriously and earnestly study the full scope of their legal powers and exert them with rigid care; not refuse to do an act of justicel because of its cost, nor fail to prevent injustice from any cause. The record of business men in their own affairs, does not always warrant their selection for important public trusts Their line of thought is limited-often too limit ed-to properly grasp county's af- fairs. Often the office is forced upon them against their wIlls-and in every instance of the kind, the voters do a public wrong. If in such instances, an official wrong either as wastage or extravagance, is committed, the officer says in reply: "The office was forced upon me; I care but little; I want no office; don't elect me to any place" &c. It IS far better to elect a competent man if he be an oflice-seeker Office seekers, as a general rule, feel that they must do something near right, or their occupation will soon be gone.
 This subject is large one. Columns can be usefully devoted 10 it. What we have said, is hastily written, and only intended to awaken thought and proper action before and at the next election. The county debts are bad enough perhaps, but what will be worse, will be for the voters to choose incompetent or dishonest supervisors for the future, or ones unwilling to serve, and hence almost certain 10 ren- der poor and eXtravagant duty.