Arizona republican., 1910-08-14


 constitution of Arizona, will make that constitution a splendid immigra ton document Why? Because the men who move to new homes; the men whose intellectual and physical forces and financial resources are de- voted to the building of great states do not wish to locate in a state in which business conditions are un stable from unstable laws. They wish to live in a state wherein conditions are fixed and certain; where policies are sane and fair. and where there is no instability of laws. They will not knowingly locate themselves in state noted for the uncertainty of its laws-a state in which radical change in conditions may be suddenly created by the whim of an impulsive minority led by plausible agitators.
 We do not give a synopsis of the platform here. for We wish each of our readers to study attentively the text of the document in detail, as we print it elsewhere this morning. We do, however, wish to point out that this platform is for a constitution which is really "progressive'-pro- gressive along sane lines. It advo- cates a constitution which may be amended by majority vote. This reserves to a majority of the people the absolute control of their affairs for all time. If in future years-after our constitution has been approved at Washington-it shall have been found that some form of direct legislation that will not overthrow constitutional and legislative government is prac- tical and desirable, the people will have it in their power by mere majority vote to amend the constitu tion to that end. The platform places "prohibition in the constitution" by delegating to the legislature power to prohibit the sale and manufacture of liquor in any form. or to regulate the traffic, as the people may desire. This is infinitely the best solution of the question from the prohibition standpoint. The plan of the Maricopa county democrats, to submit-and de- feat-a separate clause covering pro- hibition, would force the prohibition people to chance everything on the result at the polls when the clause was submitted. As everybody knows public sentiment in Arizona now would defeat such a clause. Under the republican plan, the question rests with the legislature, in all its phases. The same is true of woman suffrage. Internationally, under the democratic plan. woman suffrage, submitted as a separate clause of tfie constitution, would be defeated this fall. Under the republican plan, if the equal sui fragists are able to capture the legis- lature at any time in the future. their fight is won. The platform is also for the principle of the direct primary and for the selection of United States senators by popular vote.
 And so throughout. It is a plat form which. if carried into effect in the constitution, will give us one of the most elastic and progressive con- stitutions of all the states of the Union, and will at the same time safeguard the principle of a repre- sentative democracy-the basic prin- ciple which lies at the foundation of our lasting republic.
 It is a platform which. we are con fident, will be approved more ana more. the more it is studied It IS not a document designed to deiude voters. but is a document which ex- presses the deliberate judgment or the republicans of this county and' standing upon this platform. the nine excellent citizens nominated yester- day will undoubtedly be elected.