Arizona republican., 1910-10-11

The second step in the process of
pasting another star upon the flag-a
star that will represent the new state
of AriZOna-waS taken yesterday when
fifty-twO delegates assembled at noon
to draft a constitution. Like a fashion
able wedding the hour set was high
noon as prescribed by the enabling act
and at that hour the convention was
called to order and the process of eff
fecting the union of Arizona to her sis
ter states was begun.
AS King Solomon prayed for guild
ance to wisely rule a great people. so
we ask Thee to direct US in the adop-
tion of a wise and just constitution
such were the words of the Rev. Sea-
born Crutchfield, father of Delegate
Crutchfield, who was asked to open the
deliberations Of the convention with
prayer. And when he had finished the
delegates, standing erect, but with
bowed heads, repeated in unison the
Lords prayer. In this manner was the
constitutional convention of Arizona
opened.
The results of the first days session
of the constitutional convention were
first. the election of George W. P.
Hunt of Gila county as president; sec
ond, the adoption of the constitution Of
the United States as prescribed by the
enabling act, and the appointment Of
various committees by means of which
the wheels will be oiled for further
progress. Permanent organization was
effected and all the preliminaries
cleared away so that hencefroth the
convention will be able to get down to
business-that business being the for
nation of a constitution which will
satisfy the people of Arizona and pass
muster in Washington. The chief
justice of the territory Edward Kent
administered the oath CT office to the
delegates, who stood in their places,
each with his right hand raised.
In administering the oath of office
Judge Kent said: you swear to sup
port the constitution Of the United
States and to faultlessly discharge
your duties as delegates to this conven-
ton, on which office you are about to
enter. | congratulate YOU on the op-
portunity accorded you Of doing great
and lasting good to this state and 1
bespeak for you wisdom and prudence
in your actions and deliberations"
At u o'clock the little assembly
room at the capitol used by many
legislatures. was filled with delegates
and the gallery was sprinkled with
spectators. Fifty-one desks had been
crowded into the room forming three
sides of a hollow square around the
presidents desk. Nearly all of these
desks were occupied when Judge A. c.
Baker of Phoenix walked slowly up to
the presidents desk and raped three
times with his gavel
Though it is possible that an older
member might have been found on the
republican side of the house, the selec-
tion Of Judge Baker for the honorable
duty was esteemed fitting, because of
years and honOrs carried in the past
including the office of Chief Justice of
Arizona during the presidency of Gro
Yer Cleveland
There were few formalities at the
outset. On motion of Hunt, A. w.
Cole of Cochise county was made
temporary secretary and Miss NJ. Alice
Berry received appointment as stenog-
rapher. The delegates listened rever-
emily as the aged minister offered
prayer and Joined in apparent devout-
ness IN Ine EOru s prayer.
Then came appointment Of a cou-
pie of committees. One to request the
presence of Chief Justice Kent was
made up Of Goldwater of Yavapai.
Kingan of Pima, Doe of Coconino.
Franklin of Maricopa and Ellinwood of
Cochise. The very essential commit
tee on credentials embraced Jones of
Yavapai, COalter of Apache, Ingraham
of Yuma, curtis of Santa Cruz, Morgan
of Navajo. Coker of Pinal, Hutchinson
of Coconino, Tovrea Of Cochise, Orme
of MaricOpa, Webb of Graham, Cooper
Of Pima, Kinney of Gila and I.ovin of
Mohave
Winsor at this juncture got a bit
previous in moving thai a committee
of one member from each county be
named to select the membership of the
various necessary committees Of the
convention. on Webb's point of order
the chair ruled the motion out
There was a ripple of pleasure over
an announcement that Secretary Young
had ready the mileage checks in &
nearby committee room.
Cassidy of Maricopa readily Sc
cured the attention of the delegates
by his statement that there seemed
to be no form of oath available OIL
stipulated for the membership OF the
convention. So he had drawn up g
form of oath which he thought would
stand the strain Of the occasion
Webb. apparently starting upon ca