The copper era., 1909-01-07
Statehood Bill Now Pending in Congress


 The following is a brief analysis of the Hamilton statehood bill, which in view of the great interest that will be taken in it during the session of congress, is a valuable contribu. tion for all Arizonans.
 The bill recommends that consti- tutional convention of ffty-two dele gates be elected by all who are now qualified voters within ninety days -after the passage of this bill. The delegates are to be apportioned among the counties in proportion to the number of votes cast at the last congressional election. Their cleo tion shall be in accordance with the regular election laws of Arizona The delegates shall meet in the hall of the house of representatives on the Fourth Monday after they are elected and after adopting the con stitution of the United States shall frame a constitution and submit it to the voters.
 The following restrictions are named:
 The constitution mustD guarantee tolerau ce to religious worship, must prohibit polygamy, and the sale of intoxicants in Indian country. It must waive all right to tax Indian or government lands, and must agree to tax all property owners alike, wheth- CT they live in or out of the state. It must assume all of the debts of this territory, and provide for a good public school system. No law must be allowed that will abridge any per son's right to vote because of his race, color or previous condition of serVitude and no man may be elected to an office who cannot speak and read our language we'll enough to conduct the business of his office without an interpreter.
 The capital must remain at Phoe- nix until 1915.
 The privileges granted the United States by the act of June IT, 1902, touching the reclamation service, shall not be interfered with.
 Four sections of land from every township must be reserved for school land, 12O,0OO acres for the State Uni versity, 96,OOO acres for legislative executive and judicial buildings, 1OO,- 900 for insane asylums, 100000 for peritentiaries, 100, for asylums for deaf, dumb and blind, 5000 acres for normal schools, 100000 acres for state charitable, penal and reformatory in- stitutes, 15O,O ,O00 acres for an agricul- tural and mechanical college, 100000 acres for a school of mines, 100000 acres for military institute, 100000 acres for public irrigation and im- provement of rivers, l3,300,000 acres to go to pay the territorial debts,. of which, if there remains any after the debt is paid, it is to go to the perman- ent school fund. The schools sup ported by state funds must always remain non-sectarian.
 None of the public school land must be sold for less than $500 per acre and none in irrigation districts for less than S25.OO per acre. No case now on appeal from the supreme court of this territory and no home stead entry or desert claim will be affected by the change to statehood or the adoption of the constitution.
 The ifty-two delegates may re. ceive pay for sixty days and SlOO,0OO is appropriated for this and the cost of the elections. The people may vote for or against the constitution as a whole or any separate provision of it. If rejected the delegates must assemble and frame another.
 When adopted and approved by the president an election of all state officers shall follow and the legislators when assembled shall elect two state senators and the present territorial government shall cease.
 Copper Queen Makes Strike of Ore in