Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-10-31
WHY THE CONSTITUTION WILL
he OPPOSED,

BILE information, is disposed to place
Pima county as opposing the adoption of
the constitution as framed by the late
convention. Not only are the water
clause, the judiciary and the education
al PROVISIONS Objectionable to the varI-
GUS interests of electors IN that county,
but in addition, the question Of the
increased tax, which necessarily follows,
for the support of state government is
not forgotten, and there is opposition to
fixing Phenix as the permanent seat of
government. All the above provisions
will meet with determined opposition
and, consequently, will have weight in
determining the vote as against state
hood.
Politically, the Mormon question was
purposely omitted from the coostitu-
ton, for the reason that the test oath
would have initiated against the adop-
ton of the constitution, and IN general
elections against the success OF the
democratic ticket, had it become a
part of the state character. AS it now
stands Mormon bishops will instruct
their flocks to stand by the democracy.
Republican members OF the convention,
knowing this, endeavored TO have the
test oath engrafted in the constitution,
but were defeated by the democrats
who were unit in opposing IT, and
being largely in the majority, defeated
its adoption; and thus it was, through
legal cunning and partizan chicanery
a political combat was introduced whore
none was desired by the rank and file
Of either party.
The financial question should have
precedence over all others. IL would
have been well if the members of the
convention had familiarized themselves
with Adam Smiths wealth of MAJ
tions" before entering upon a work
requiring solidity of thought, indepen-
cence of action and faith TO their con-
stituency. Had they so acted we would
not now be alarmed over the probable
increase of an already incurred debt of
s3,5OO,O00.
The Sixteenth Legislative Assembly,
realizing that the territory was financial
ly swamped, passed law, which is en-
titled: "To provide for the maintenance
Of the several counties of this Territory"
which has the merit of being unique,
single, in its kind and euphonious,
adapted TO tickle the ear by conveying
the impression that the several counties
of the territory, from and after March |
18th, 1891, 'are on cash basis" The |
title of the law is deceptive, for the rea-
son that it suspends the payment of all |
warrants of ten of the counties which |
by reason of extravaganza incurred debts |
beyond that allowed by the organic act |
Of the territory, ella being the only ex-
ception, and she is in arrears of payment |
for one year, and her warrants are rated |
at eighty cents on the dollar, and this
is what advocates of statehood call son
4 cash basis" This being a fact, as
relating to ella, what is the value of the |
debts, by the act referred 10 |
IF other counties, which are over 81
10000?
The act approved March 18th, 1891,
TO provide for funding territorial sup
oil 70 ha onf Of onftflal
An act approving with amendments the
funding act of Arizona" approved June
18th. 1890, has not proved panacea for
Arizona's consumptIve treasury. Coy
,rUor Irwin, now east, who is authorized |
10 negotiate the sale of 81, 100000 Arizona
ponds, Notwithstanding the compliment
AIRY dinner given him by Walter S. Lo-
IAN at the Marine and Field Club, New
York, July 18th, 1891, where toasts anc
esponses complimentary of Arizoni
we're numerous, has not succeeded il
hiding purchaser for dollar of our
erritor al Indebtedness, notwitbstand-
ng his word painting, descriptive of IL e
'eautiful valley of ella, its sanitary con
itions, the home of the invalid, tn,
7armth of the noon day sun in ia uary.
favorably to beautiful Jun,
ay on Manhattan Island No doubt
steners on that occasion we're charmed
y the descriptive powers Of our govern
r; it did not, however, have the effect
reaching the Golfers of money lender.
eeklng investments, for the reason
of their having read the stay
wv, ena tied by Arizona's legislative as
emily, March l9, 1891.