The Coconino sun., 1909-02-12
The heTwenty-6fth Legislature

the way of advancing the general interests of the people of the terri tory. The democrats are in the saddle with over two thirds-ma- jority in both houses, and seem bent on destroying not only them selves. but every republican office they can lay their hands upon.
 The territorial ranger law was repealed on a party vote. the re- publicans voting solidly against its repeal, believing that the rangers have done a great deal of good, and are still doing great good. Mari copa county, with one or two oth- CTS, did not see that they were re ceiving any of the money thus ex- pended directly, notwithstanding the fact that the stockmen of the northern counties are pouring their surplus money into these counties, rather than taking it to California. There are several members among the democrats who had to gulp twice before swallowing this caucus measure, and all of them are get ting protests against their action in abolishinR the force. At the next general election it is probable that they will receive another pro test at the polls that will retire them to private life. The sheriffs of the territory were practically unanimous in their endorsement of the rangers ard they are mainly democrats, too; men who know what good has been accomplished by the rangers,
 The public examiner was the next territorial official to feel the democratic caucus ax. and the bill abolishing this office passed both houses on a strict democratic vote, the republicans voting solidly to re- tain the office. The supervisors of the territory in their annual convention voted unanimously asking that the office be not abolished, but nothing prevailed against the venemous hatred that filled their hearts. They wanted to wreak their veng ance on the people of the territory for having dared to defeat the great Marcus Simth. Many of the democrats were weak-kneed, and apoloigzed for their action, saying they bowed to the will of the ma jority in the democratic caucus. forgetting for the time that they would have to answer to their constituents for their radical and suicidal action, rather than to a few extreme radicals whose only desire was for revenge. Protests have been received by the demo- crats from all parts of the terri tory advising them that they were only cutting off their noses to spite their faces. Thousands of dollars have been saved by the different counties through the work of the public examiner's office. A sop in the shape of purile and senile bill has been introduced by Mr. Weedin hoping to stem the tide against the democracy. The bill provides that supervisors of each county shall hire. at not to exceed $500 per day, an expert to go over the county books twice annually. A more idiotic and senile sort of a sop could not have been offered a reasoning people.
 There is yet possibility that the governor will veto both bills and that at least two democratic members of the house may want to save their political skins by voting with the republicans sustaining the veto.
 On top of this variety of per sonal vengance" legislation a bill was introduced in the council by MT. Finley of Pima, aimed at James Riggs, the democratic mem Der of the territoral board of con trol. The present law provides that the citizen member of the board shall be of opposite political