Arizona republican., 1910-07-24
PHOENIx. ARIZONA, JULY 24. 1910
Conservative and Level Headed.


 The brief addresses made yesterday at the meeting of the republican con- mittee of Maricopa county by Cover nor Sloan, former Governor Kibbey, Judge Armstrong, Judge Ainsworth, and the Hon. Isaac T. Stoddard, were all impromptu. The remarkable fact same line of thought did not escape the notice of the republicans in at tendance And the hearty applause with which each speaker was greeted denoted a pleasing unanimity of re- publican sentiment
 This sentiment, expressed by the speakers and warmly approved by their hearers, is for the selection of the very ablest and best men in the republican ranks for delegates in the constitutional convention; is against including any freaks or fads in the constitution; is for a constitution, broadly American, which will give to the legislature ample liberty to enact any law the people want that does not violate the principles of the fed eral constitution, and is against ham pering the delegates from this county with instructions.
 It is safe to say, therefore, that if republican delegates are elected by Maricopa county they will work for a constitution which every patriotic and sane American can be proud of, and constitution of their making will not be-in the words of Presi- dent Taft at Phoenix last fall" a geological garden of freaks" Gentle men who hope to secure a freak con- than to the republicans of Maricopa county for help.
 All of the addresses were marked by excellent sense, and were inspir- ing to patriotic citizens. Judge Kib- bey laid emphasis on a principle in constitution making which is too often overlooked. He pointed out that the primary object of a constitution is 10 protect the minority in a state or nation. If only the majority were to be considered, no constitution would be necessary-the only requisite would be to ascertain the wishes of the ma jority The principle of majority
 
 is rule by mass meeting. As Judge Kibbey pertinently said the idea of the unrestricted rule of the majority is not new; it is at least two thous- and years old. And the ruin of the republics of Greece and Rome and of Venice-republics which had not provided for protection of the minor ity-stands out as proof that the Tickle mind of the majority is not a sufficient safeguard for any peo- pie or any government. The fathers of the American republican, almost supernaturally wise as they were, and taking a lesson from the failure of all republics that had existed be- fore their time, provided in our gov ernment for a system of checks and balances-a system of rule by the ma jority. but modified by constitutional protection of the minority. It is a fundamental mistake in judging hu- man action to suppose that the ma- jority is always right
 Judge Kibbey did not refer specifi- cally to the initiative and referen- dum." fad to which many of the democrats of Maricopa county are committed. but the inference from his remarks was obvious. As he pointed out, Arizona will be a state of many diverse interests Maricopa county, being an agricultural community, has against it a majority of counties and of population in which agricultural in- terests are not paramount. Ability to set aside the constitution, with its protection of the minority, and the substitution of the initiative" as the final word in legislation might easily enable other counties to combine against Maricopa county and place great burdens of unjust taxation upon this county. It should be remem- bered always that a weapon which may be used today by one man or group of men, may be used tomorrow by another man or group of men and with diametrically opposite re- suits The adoption of the initiative" in its broader meaning implies the setting aside of constitutional restric- tion and protection.
 Yesterdays meeting proved in 6 gratifying way that the republicans of Maricopa county are conservative and level headed.