Arizona republican., 1910-02-07
The Better Statehood Bill

Whatever misconception' Arizonians may have entertained regarding the senate statehood bill, or whatever doubt may have existed regarding it's cation of it by The Republican this morning.
 One thing which had given some concern was a rumor that it con- tained a provision that all changes of Arizonas constitution for all time to come could be effected only by congressional approval
 That rumor was based, it appears, on misunderstanding of a part of Section 19 of the bill, which requires convention of an ''irrevocable ordi- nance" to be made a part of the constitution and which shall guaran- tee certain things. a part of which are covered already by the constitu- tion of the United States and its amendments and by already existing federal laws.
 But this provision of the senate pill is no new thing. It is literally cop jed from Section 21 of the Hamilton bill
 It had also been understood that the new bill made a change of the location of the capital easier. That however is not a fact since its exact language of the Hamilton bill
 The most important change is a the most stubborn objections of Mir Beveridge to the Hamilton bill or to any previous bill. the looseness of the land grants to the new state. In his view the Hamilton bill did not safeguard those lands from be- ing dissipated foolishly or fraudu- lently by the legislature. The sen ate bill. it will be observed, binds legislatures to discretion and hon. esty in the disposition of any public lands which may come into. the pos session of the new state.
 There is also the further change regarding the approval of our con- stitution by both the president and congress. That will not be likely to alter the fate of the constitution, which must first be submitted to the president as all constitutions have been in the past. If he approves it, it will stand unless congress should affirmatively disapprove it, a conflict which is most unlikely.
 The Republican has heretofore removed the erroneous understanding that the new bill strikes out all land grants for educational purpose. The bill contemplates such grants, but at the time it was introduced the committee had not decided as to the number of acres that should be donated to the several institutions and, so. had designated the donations by blank acres.
 There is one other change and one which we think fair minded citizens generally will approve-that relating to the qualification of voters at the aIn 1f IAla t<N tl,4 tional convention and at the election for the ratification or rejection of the constitution.
 This change entirely disregards the territory's educational qualifications" law and the law making a resi- dence of one year in the territory qualification.
 These elections and the circum- tances surrounding them are pecu- from the ordinary cleo tions of officers. Attracted by the cer- tainty, or by at least the proba- bility of statehood, thousands will | flock to Arizona to secure new homes. | Such a movement has preceded the | admission of every territory These i thousands of homeseekers will be | for the most part. persons of intelH- | gence and substance. entftled to the ! privilege of assisting in the estab- | lishment of the conditions amid which ! they will make their homes.
 As to the displacement of the "ed- qualifications" law. there can be no objection by those who | place justice before partisan advan- tage.
 Such a law as the one placed on the statute books by the last leg isIature would exclude many intel ligent and excellent citizens from in the setting up of the new state.
 An educational qualification for vot- ers. it must be admitted, is a desir- l able one, but a law which can