Arizona republican., 1905-01-24
A Democrats Protest.

From the many letters received by The Republican protesting against leg isIative extravaganza we subjoin a communication from one of the most prominent democrats of Maricopa county, a man who won distinguished honor as a member of a former Iegis- lature:
 Mesa, Arizona, January 21, 1905. To the Editor of The Republican:
 Sir-Wiu some one kindly tell me why men elected to public position of trust-men who have to handle the finances of our territory-cannot give us as good, business like service as they would display in the management | of their own business in private life? Surely, the confidence and trust the ! people placed in them when they elect ed them to these exalted positions should not be cast to the four winds and trampled in the dust-as it would | appear that our honorable, law making body is doing at the present time. It should be the pride of every citizen of our territory to have a just, equitable and economical administration in all the departments of our government. l Who would claim for a moment that it would be good policy to have two | governors, two chief justices and two l associate justices for each district. or two attorney generals, or double the force in any of the branches of our government where one official dis charges all the duties of the office? Who would approve doubling the ex- pense without increasing the efficiency of our territorial machinery?
 Yet, is not this the absurd, extrav- agant and unbusinessli1e policy which is being pursued by the members of the Twenty-third legislature of Arizo- na? Pray tell me wherein there is any sense or business judgment in employ ing such a wonderful army of clerks and attaches? They certainly are not necessary auxiliaries of our Iaw-mak- ing department. They are only polit- ical gratis and leeches on our terri toriaI treasury. All who are familiar with the clerical needs of our IegisIa- ture know full well that one chief clerk and one assistant, one journal clerk and one assistant, one enrolling and expressing clerk and two assistants, four committee clerks, one page, one sergeant-at-arms, one chaplain, one janitOr and one nightwatchman for each house comprise all the help that possibly can be used. And these, with one messenger for the governor, if they are competent, will not be over worked-any of them.
 And the honorable gentlemen will find that they have all the help they have any use for-and they could spare some of these. And in making this statement I know whereof speak.
 Now, Messrs. Lawmakers, in all candOr, why carry this lavish expen- allure of the taxpayers hard earned money to such extravagant ends? Are you not their representatives? Do you not owe your honorable positions to their suffra ages2 Then why not trans act their business on legitimate busi- ness lines, and not spend twelve or fifteen thousand dollars in employing an audience to sit around and while away the time in idIeness?
 And again I may ask, why pay from two thousand to three dollars to any newspaper for publishing news which any live newspaper is glad to have the privilege of printing each day for the benefit of it's subscribers?
 Give us good, equitable and whole i some laws, to govern our territory. l Provide literally for our educational | our institutions, and in business way for our territorial necessities. Spend l our money in legitimate channels for | the advancement of our growing com l mOnwealth, and you will secure the ! good wishes and hearty support of all ! law-abiding citizens, regardless of par ! ty affiliations.
 In conclusion, I will say that I am l a democrat. and have supported the party ever since I obtained my major ! ity. But when it comes to spending !. our public funds in a reckless and ex- ! travagant manner. as a citizen and l. taxpayer I enter a protest
 Respectfully.
 CHARLES PETERSON.