Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1909-02-17
LOCAL OPTION
IN ARIZONA
Sister Territory is
Making His.
tory
O|SFRANCH|SEMEAT PASSES
Spanish Speaking Citizens
Deprived Of Right to Vote
at Elections.

bill providing that counties may vote
local option by majority instead of
two-thirds, has passed the house by
l3 to II. 1t comes up to the senate
today and it is believed it will pass.
The educational qualification bill, re-
quiring the voters to be able to read
the English language, which passed
the Council several days ago, and
passed the House yesterday, has
, been sent to the governor. The i'm
portance of the educational bill lies in
the fact that it would disfranchise
many Spanish-speaking citizens.
Will Probably Veto Bill.
Phoenix, Feb. lit is reported
,unofficially that Governor Kibbey, be-
Iing a Republican, will most probably
veto the bill although enormous pres
Isure is being brought to bear upon
him to sign it. 1t is pointed out that
the Republican party has been ever
the protector of the franchise of all
lpeople entitled to 1t under the fed
eral constitution.
viii Make Arizona Republican.
Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 1.-THE Dem
ocratic members of both houses as
well as the citizens of this county are
strong in their condemnation of the
sensational and unwarranted attack
Of Eugene Brady O'Neill on Governor
Kibbey, in which he raked the COVER
nor's personal character fore and aft.
All other features of Monday in the
Council sank into insignificance COM
,.afed to the billingsgate OF the mem
ber of Maricopa. Never before in the
history of the Arizona legislature has
such a malicious and vitriolic flow of
language been poured forth from the
| lips of a legislator. Beside O'Neill's
speech. the attack of Willis on
Roosevelt was but the mutterings of
schoolboy.
During the TRADE and at its close,
O'Neil was hissed by the galleries and
members on the floor. Only one man
applauded; the rest were stunned by
the thunderbolt. O'Neill showed his
animosity for the governor when he
interrupted the clerk in his reading
of the messages vetoing the ranger
and examiner bills, by moving that
further reading be dispensed with.
President Hunt denied the motion,
stating that it was courtesy due the
chief executive for the messages to
be read in full and acted upon. The
relen less grind of the caucus ma
chinery passed both bills by a strict
party vote. -
Weedin arose on a question of priv
ilege and made an excellent address,
setting forth his reasons for support
ing the bills. Breen, Republican,
| moved to table these apologies, but
the motion was denied. 1t is mani
fest to all that the animus behind both
these measures is based on partisan
politics and not the result of senti-
ment for such legislation in the ter
ritory. Monday made thousands of
votes in Arizona for the Republican
party and il the statehood bill is
passed, Arizona would go Republican
next fall as certain as faith. The
Democratic party is plunging head
long to disaster, Such legislation as
has been SO far passed is a disgrace
to great commonwealth, and the
Democrats are solely responsible.
In the House, the message of the
governor was cordially received, but
the members on the Democratic side
were of one mind, and the bills went
over the governors veto by strict
party vote. Only one man placed
himself on record against it from the
Democratic side-Sutter, of Cochise-
who said that the people of his county
were opposed to the passage of these
measures and that If there had been
any way to defeat them he would
have done it. He voted with the eau
Gus against his will and his convic-
tions.
Bailey introduced a resolution in
viting William Jennings Bryan, en-
inent American Citizen" to visit Ari-
zona and address the legislature.
Roberts's bill for ranger, deputy
sheriffs has passed the House.
Goodrich's bill, revising the pro-
ceedings Of district courts, passed the
Council.
A bill was introduced in the Coun-
Gil by O'Neill, taxing telegraph, tele-
phone and express companies. 1t
provides for sworn statement of as
sets, gross earnings, ETC., under pen
atty Of a fine or forfeiture Of the
franchise.