Arizona republican., 1910-10-18
PHoENIX. ARIz., OCTOBER IS, 1910
4 Calm View Of the Outlook

4 Calm View or tke Outlook
 The titles of the numerous commit tees of the constitutional convention indicate that it is the purpose of the convention to consider all the sub jects which distinguish the Oklahoma constitution. This purpose is still further indicated by the apparent de- sire of the convention to accept the proffer of a large quantity of the journals of the Oklahoma constitu- tional convention. To be sure, these are only straws, seemingly pointing to a radical program. But the pre- valing belief that the Arizona con- vention will produce a very radical document is supported by other signs than the obvious friendliness of the delegates for the Oregon and Okla homa doctrines.
 It is already clear that there are three distinct groups in the conven- ton: a group made up of men who are sincere in their advocacy of so- cialistic doctrines; a group of men who are not sincerely for socialism, but are quite willing to train with the socialist crowd because they think it is the popular thing to do; and. for a third group, the men who are not only conservative. but are quite anxious to produce a Constitu- tion which will bring statehood.
 All the probabilities at this time are that the two groups first named will operate together. and frame a constitution so radical that it will be rejected at Washington.
 The work of the convention to date fully warrants, therefore, the conclu- sion stated by The Republican the morning following the election namely. that statehood, instead of being a reasonable certainty, is but a remote possibility. As the work of the delegates develops into definite results it seems probable at this time that the possibility of success at Washington will be made more and more remote.
 In any event. there can be no probability of the approval of the constitution before the adjournment of the coming session of congress. There is pending before the supreme court of the United States the ques- ton whether the initiative and refer endum under the oregon plan" is constitutional-whet it provides a republican form of government as required by the constitution of the United States. While the case went to the supreme court from Oregon year ago. it has not yet been argued in that tribunal, we believe.
 If the supreme court decides that the oregon plan" does not provide a republican form of government, it will necessarily follow that all con- stitutions and statutes based upon the oregon plan" are imperative and void.
 Under this state of facts it is al- together probable that neither the president nor congress will be in- clined to pass upon Arizona's, -consti- tution-if it incorporates the Oregon Oklahoma plan-until after the su- prere court has decided the Oregon case The necessity of re-organizing the court by reason of so many re- cent vacancies in that body has re- suited in the postponement of all inn portant cases, and it is extremely doubtful whether a decision in the Oregon case will be reached before some time next year. It would seem ed down this winter-for the reason, as already stated, that the case has not yet been argued.
 The only possibility for Arizona to achieve statehood at the coming ses- sion of congress disappeared, there fore, when the people voted in favor of making the initiative and referen- dunn and recall a feature of our con- stitution-nothing but simple con- stitution, such as MT. Taft recom- mended, could have let us into the union in the near future
 But the necessary postponement of statehood because of the victory for these doctrines is not the only fea- ture of the situation. Even if the supreme court should decide in favor of the Oregon doctrines-and no sound lawyer will venture an opinion that the court will so decide-state- hood for this territory must still run the gauntlet of presidential and con