Arizona republican., 1910-12-29

answer:
 "To the Editor of The Republican:
 Dear Sir-Although I am not al ways able to agree with The Repub'
 Hcan, l admire the SturdineSS witt which it stands up for whatever i believes right. and l admire it as . fine newspaper. Most of all. l ap- preciate that the paper is d great institution for building up the city and valley l say this much so that you may know that I am writing ir good faith, for information. l notice that you have practically nothing tC say of the constitution as a constitu- ton, and as an old subscriber l take the privilege of asking: Do you not think that the constitution as a whole is quite creditable to the people oi the territory, and that it deserves tC have some kind things said about it|
 We answer with pleasure, and frankly.
 The constitution is, on the whole, a very good document The bill of rights. wherein are found the guar antics of personal liberty. is thor oughly American. In general features it is a constitution that is both pro- gressive and commendably funda- mental
 Especially deserving of commenda- ton is the idea of making the con- stitution easy of amendment, for mo- body can foresee what needs will arise in future years for additional articles in order to make the fundamental law conform to the requirements of mod ern conditions.
 Another good feature is the pro- vision for a popular advisory vote on the election of United States sena- tors
 The best new feature of all, in our judgment, is the provision for direct primaries. It has been demonstrated that the direct primary lodges with the people the power to elect their officers free from the interference of party bosses. It works for good gov ernment, if the machinery is simple of application. With the power of the direct primary in their hands, there is no need of either the "initia- tive" or the recall" There is no need of the initiative" because legislature elected under the direct primary can be depended upon to be instantly responsive to the demands of the people. There is no need of the recall" for with proper care in the selection of candidates at the pri- maries, and with statutory provisions for the punishment of derelict of ficials. the public interest is entirely guarded.
 The really objectionable features, as we regard it, are few, but vitally i'm portant. We think it was d danger ous step to omit a declaration that the waters of all running streams are public property, but possibly no harm would come of the omission. The provision for d public service com mission was. as originally drawn, in line with sound and progressive prin- ciples of government As adopted, however, the article is too drastic, in that it cOnfers practically unlimited powers upon the commission to in- terfere viciously with every commer- cial enterprise that happens to be an incorporated concern and the owners of which may fall under the per sonal displeasure of the commission CTS. In other words, a wide door is opened for blackmail by an unscru- pulous commission.
 If the convention had been more conservative, it could have drawn a referendum clause of possible utility, | for it is possible to apply the refer | endum principle to good advantage in the interest of the public But as framed, the referendum proposition | would do much, in our judgment, to l break down and destroy the repre- sentative form of government Wholly | are the initiative" and the recall"
 Among the most far-seeing poli- ticians of the country are the shrewd |