Weekly Phoenix herald. [volume] (Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz. Territory [Ariz.]) 1882-1896, 1882-12-01
Recoaihcation of the Laws.
Written fos the HERALp.J

Among the many suggestions at
present being male to the law-mak
ers-elect of the Twelfth Legislative
Assembly, none are of more import
ance than the question of the recodi-
fication of our Territorial laws. The
last effort made in this direction re
sailed il he present volume of ''Com-
piled Laws" published by authority
of the Legislature of 1877. This at
tempt towards giving the people OF
Arizona a code of laws was an utter
failure. Inaccuraey and uncertainty
distinguished it, and it was hard to
find a proposition contained in il
that could be construed with that de-
gree of certainty that should pertain
to legal affairs, where not only the
property but the life and liberty of a
citizen may be involved. Since the
is uance of these Compiled Laws :"
two legislatures have met. New laws
have been created and put into force
of which no codification or proper
compilation exists; in consequence
Of which the uncertain and contra
dictory condition of our laws has
been augmented to IL lamentu BILE de-
gree. This state of uncertainty is
slrikingly shown in our present laws
governing elections; and there is
not, we venture to say, two counties
in the Territory in which these laws
throughout have been construed the
same; and as a consequent where
the vote has been at all close, much
hard feeling has been eng ndered.
In Yavapai and all the other coun-
ties, except our own, number of
precincts were thrown out for reasons
which our Board of Supervisors
would have considered trivial and of
no importance.
1t is needless for US to argue fur
ther on the necessity of re-codifca-
ton and re-compilation of our code
of laws. 1t is self-evident propo-
sition, SO plain as to be at once appa-
rent to all reasoning and thinking
men. The last Legislature recognized
this necessity, and a bill was INTRO
duced providing for the creation of
a commission to perform this duty
ard present the results of its labors
TO the legislative body that will con-
vene next January. While the in
tent was excellent, tic machinery by
which the work was to lie accom-
plished was too costly and cumber-
some; this with the petty jealousics
Of the various applicants for posi-
lions on the commission and the
length OF time that would elapse be-
fore any good would be accomplish
I'd by the scheme, killed it. Among
he various methods of forming such
that have been suggest
ID, the best probably is that of the
Chronicle, which is that the commits
ion consist of three members, one
to be selected from each
Judicial district, to be appointed and
commence their labors as soon as
possible; remain in session during
he term of the legislature; and pre-
ent the result of their deliberations
rom time TO time for the considera-
ion and action of the legislative
'odies. This me bod beyond doubt
5 a good one. By it immediate re
ief would be given, and the major
orlion of the labor performed with
ut delay of two years; while what
enamel undone at the adjourn
lent of the legislature could be con-
ded to one member of the commits
ion, selected by itself, to dispose of
nd report on to the next legislative
of 1885. The subject is
ne of great importance aud should
sceive the careful considC ration of {
{ our Legislators elect, SO that ]
rompt action may be taken in the
latter.