Graham guardian., 1910-01-07
THE STATEHOOD BILL
Details Of Hamilton Bill Are
Put in Form of
Synopsis

The following is a brief analysis
of the Hamilton statehood bill, which
in view of the great interest that
will be taken in it during the ses-
sion of Congress, is a valuable con-
tribution for all Arizonans.
The bill recommends that a con-
stitutional convention of fifty-two
delegates be elected by all who are
now qualified voters within ninety
days after the passage of this bill.
The delegates are to be apportioned
among the counties in proportion to
the number of votes cast at the last
congressional election. Their elec-
ton shall be in accordance with the
regular election laws OF Arizona.
The delegates shall meet in the hall
of the house of representatives on
the fourth Monday after they are
elected and after adopting the con.
stitution of the United States shall
frame constitution and submit it
to the voters.
The following restrictions are
named:
The constitution must guarantee
tolerance to religious worship, must
prohibit polygamy, and the sale OF
intoxicants in Indian country. II
must waive all right to tax Indian
or government lands, and must
agree to tax all property owners
alike, whether they live in or out OF
the state. 1t must assume all OF
the debts of this territory, and pro
vide for good public school sys
tenn. No law must be allowed thai
will abridge any persons right tt
vote because of his race, color o,
previous condition of servitude ano
no man may be elected to an office
who cannot speak and read oul
language we'll enough to conduct
the business Of his Office without ar
interpreter.
The capital must remain at Phoe.
nix until 1915.
The privileges granted the United
States by the act of June II, 1902
touching the reclamation service
shall not be interfered with,
Four sections of land from every
township must be reserved fol
school land, 10000 acres for the
State University, $4,000 acres fol
legislative, executive and judicia
buildings, 100000 for insane asy
lums, 1000 for penitentiaries, 100,
900 for asylums for deaf, dumb ane
blind, $4,000 acres for norma
schools, 100000 acres for state char
liable, penal and reformatory insti
tutes, 150,0 900 acres for an agricul
tural and mechanical college, l00,'
600 acres for school of mines, 100,
600 acres for a military institute
100000 acres for public irrigation
and improvement of rivers, $500,
600 acres to go to pay the Terri
torial debts, of which, if there re
mains any after the debt is paid, i
is to 60 to the permanent schoo
fund. The schools supported b,
State funds must always remall
non-sectarian.
None of the public school lan'
must be sold for less than $50
per acre and none in irrigation dis
tricts for less than $500 per acre
No case now on appeal from tn
Supreme Court of this Territor
and no homestead entry or deser
claim will be affected by the chang
to Statehood or the adoption of tn
constitution.
The fifty-two delegates may re
ceive pay for sixty days and 500
900 is appropriated for this and tn
cost of the elections. The peopl
may vote for or against the const
tuition as whole or any separat
provision of it. If rejected the de
egates must assemble and fran
another.
When adopted and approved b
the president an election OF a
state officers shall follow and tn
Legislators when assembled, sha
elect two state senators and tn
present territorial government sha
cease.