The herald., 1897-02-15
quarters. though there is little likelihood

quarters, though there Is little likelihood
of either Of them passing either house.
The representative from Cochise, Mr.
Riggs, has introduced very radical
measure that stands fair chance of be-
| ing endorsed by the assembly. This Il
a bill which creates the office of super
intendent Of taxes of penal and char
table institutions, whose duty it shall
be to sit as board of control for the
| territory and likewise as a board of
equalization. These superintendents
are to be elected in their various dis
tricts, and aside from their territorial
duties they have sundry district and
course, are merely perfunctory, and are
created with view of evading the fed
eral law which gives the governor the
power to appoint all territorial officers.
This is certainly very democratic bill,
and were it not for the extra expense
attached to it majority Of both houses
would probably vote for it. Arizona,
though not dissatisfied with her pres
ent governors very keen to the ad-
vantages of electing her chief respon-
sible territorial officers, and this keen
ness is born of much experience with
extravagant officials In the naming of
which the taxpayers had no voice.
While on the subject of gubernatorial
prerogatives it is timely to remark that
pul lWo VI hONeTIlOT rTdHkllH > recent
appointments have been confirmed by
the council. These two are Attorney
General j. f. Wilson and Superintend-
ent of the Territorial Prison M. j. Nu-
gent. There is a reason why the other
appointments have been hanging fire
so long in the council, and that reason
is closely related to the tenure of office
bill that is now pending in the council.
III the bill becomes a law 1t will transpire
that Mr. Mpkin1aVc re
Arizona will have fewer prerogatives
in the way of offices to bestow than any
Of his predecessors.
There is a fair chance that the new
governors name will be r. A. r. Pen
rose. He is mining man of Cochise
county, and a brother of Senator Pen
rose of Pennsylvania. He is rather a
well-liked man in the territory, and
would doubtless make Is popular gov
ernor as Republican could be expected
to make. He is making a strong can
vass for the place, and is now in Phoe-
nix, shaking hands with every man who
can write his name to a petition which,
when completed will ask the president
to appoint Mr.. Penrose governor OF
Arizona, and thus satisfy a long felt
want"
Unlike certain portions of the golden
state, the treasure territory has no fight
on with the railroads, and the public
sentiment here Is to encourage railroad
enterprise in every legitimate way. AS
an example of this feeling, instance the
railroad taxation exemption bill now be-
coming law in Arizona. The measure
exempts from taxation all the property
of newly constructed railroads for
period of fifteen years. The original bill
said twenty years, but President Hughes
of the council, who is somewhat of an
succeeded in getting
the time reduced. The bill will doubt
less become law in its present form,
and then work on the new line between
Phoenix and Globe, which is the center
of very rich mining district, will be
commenced and pushed rapidly.
No one is betting much on the fate of
the bill authorizing the removal from
Yuma to Prescott. and there is no man
who would be willing to give odds on
either side. The talk is, al present, that
IL the prison is removed from Yuma,
Prescott will not be the lucky town to
receive it. But the bill is sleeping at
awaiting the election of new
representative from Yuma county to fill
the seat left vacant by the resignation of
Murat Masterson.
One of the new bills that is of general
interest to the outside world is that
which makes vandalizing of Arizona's
noble antiquities a punishable offense.
This is a law that should have been
enacted and enforced many years ago.
But there is yet time, and that the op-
portunity will be improved there Is little
doubt. JAMES H. GRIFFES.