Arizona republican., 1904-12-13
PHoENIx, ARIZONA. DEC. 1s, 1904.
What the Statehood Bill Provides.

Now that the probability of the pas sage of the joint statehood bill is greater than ever, it is interesting to note the principal provisions of the measure as it passed the house. By keeping these provisions ia mind our readers will better understand such amendments as may be made by the senate committee Cn territories. The first portion of the bill-sectiors one to eighteen fnclusive-relate to the admis- sion of Oklahoma and Indian territory as one state.
 Section 19 provides that "the inhab- itants of all that part of the area Of the United States now constituting the territories of Arizona and New Mexico, as at present described, may become the state of Arizona, as hereinafter provided.'
 Section 20 is comprehensive. IL pro vides that all the qualified electors of the two territories, respectively, shall be entitled to vote for and choose dele gates to form a constitutional conven- tion for said territories. The conven- ton is to select no delegates, seventy of whom shall be elected from New Mexico and forty from Arizona. The governor, chief justice and secretary of each territory are to apportion the del egates for the same, "as nearly as may be equitable among the several coun- ties thereof" in accordance with the census of 1ao0. Thirty days after the approval of the bill by the president, the governor Of each territory shall issue a procalmation ordering an cleo ton of delegates to the constitutional convention. The election of delegates must take place on the tenth Tuesday after the approval of the act. In other words. the election for delegates to the constitutional convention will be held about three months after congress passes the bill. There must be gen. eraI registration of voters. Citizens in order to vote must have resided in the territory one year, in the county six months, and thirty days in the pre- cinct where they are to vote. This reg istration is to answer for the subse- quent election, to be held for the rati- fcation of the constitution and the election of state officers.
 Section 21 provides that the delegates to the constitutional convention srall meet at Santa Fe on the fifth Monday after their election. They are not to receive compensation for more than sixty days of service in the convention. The convention must form a constitu tfcn, republican in form, which shall contain these provisions:
 First That perfect toieration of re- Iigious sentiment shall be secured. and that no inhabitant of the state shall ever be molested In person or property on account of his or her mode of re- liglous worship; and that polygamous marriages are forever prohibited.
 Second. That the people inhabiting the proposed state do agree and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated and ungranted public lands lying within the boundaries thereof and to all lands owned or held by Indians. The para graph goes into detail as to the man ner in which the rights of the Indians must be protected.
 Third. That all the debts Of the ter Iitories of Arizona and New Mexico are to be assumed and paid by the state.
 Fourth. There must be provision for the establishment and maintenance of a system of public schools, free from sectarian control and conducted in English; although the teaching Of oth- public schools.
 Fifth. That the state shall never enact any law abridging or restricting the right of suffrage lon account of Iace. color. or previous condition of servitude, or on account of any other conditions or qualifications save and except on account of illiteracy, minor ity. sex, conviction of felony. mental condition. or residence"
 Sixth. That the capital of the state shall be at Santa Fe. and shall not be changed therefrom until 1910. After that year the location of the capital may be permanently fixed by a major ity vote.
 Section 9 provides that if a consti- tuition is formed by the convention in compliance with the terms of the en- abling act, the convention must pro- vide by ordinance for submitting the constitution to the people for their rat ification or rejection. at an election to be held at time fixed in said ordi- nance. But this election must be not less than sixty days nor more than six months after the adjournment of