Bisbee daily review., 1910-07-22
BE CAREFUL,
WE WANT STATEHOOD.

WE N AM = -
As the discussion Of the constita-
ton which shall be the foundation OF
the new state OF Arizona progresses
II is apparent that aside from the
platform of the new labor party,
which. by the way. has been repudi-
ated by a goodly portion Of the labor
ing men Of the territory, there is to
be found little or no demand for what
would be classed as "freakishness'
in our fundamental law
Perhaps the one ching most dis
cussed to date is the principle OF di-
root legislation as embodied in what
is known as the initiative and refer
endum. This is no new proposition
in government. though there is muen
reason why it should receive careful
study. In several states there may
he found varying forms OF the mi
tiative and referendum, perhaps the
most radical being that in The new
state Of Oklahoma. where legislation
may be brought about any time by
petition and special election In
the state Of Oregon initiative legisla-
ton may be secured only at a gen
eral eleetyasss,us,u.
There r - sides to the ques-
ton of the ACCESSIBILITY or necessity
for the initiative and referendum;
the opponents declare that it is a
desertion of the representative form
Of government designed and provid
ed by those who founded this ma
ton, which those who favor it claim
that it puts directly into the hands
of the people the power Of promoting
and enacting such legislation as they
may desire, and that no one can con
sistently oppose it and favor gov
eminent by the people.
The Arizona Republican takes its
position as opposed to-the proposition
and assumes that should the init
alive and referendum appear in the
constitution it would mean disapprov
al Tor that document when it reaches
Washington. Here is what the Re
publican says regarding that:
I'VE know, Of course. that
it is reasonably certain that a
constitution providing broadly
for the Initiative aud fer the
referendum without restric-
ton will be rejected by the
president and congress-"
Here is pretty high republican au
thority to the effect that if the PEG
pie of Arizona want statehood undo
the bill they must for the presen
forget the initiative and referendum
at least in its broadest form.
Now, whatever may be though
concerning the necessity for this pre-
vision in the constitution. we do nc
believe such necessity is so impers
tive as TO warrant jeopardizing tn
present opportunity for statehood
The initiative and referendum ha
many ardent supporters, both anon
the democrats and republicans in Ar
IONA; this method of legislating Ia
been called into action by both den
ocrats and republicans in the olde
states. and we are at a loss to vi
derstand why President Taft is S
determined in his opposition to j
The constitution of Arizona mus
be finally made by the delegate
elected By the people for that pu
pose. and these members Of the col
stitutional convention should b
guided by the wishes Of their cor
stituents II these wishes are mad
known, either before or after eIe,
ton. II the people demand the in
tiative and referendum and are vii
ing 70 endanger statehood by hayin
it placed in the constitution. the
should have their choice. But W
believe it would be well to try an