Arizona republican., 1910-09-05

and we do hereby pledge the nominees of this convention. if elected as dele gates to the constitutional convention, to earnestly and steadily advocate, support and vote for the incorporation of said principles into the constitu- ton of the state of Arizona. We believe in the republican form of government, guaranteed by the con stitution of the United States and to each state of the Union, and look with disfavor upon all proposed experiment tai substitutes therefor. We hold that extreme caution should be exercised in the introduction of any innovation upon the time -honored and time-tested principles of representative democracy established by the fathers of the re- public, and the wisdom of which has been demonstrated by one hundred and twenty-three years of beneficent operation; and that no innovation of doubtful or uncertain value to the people of the state ought to be incor- porated into the fundamental. Recognizing that the primary and | essential purpose of the constitution should be the safeguarding of the lib- critics of the people, We hold that it should contain such limitations upon | the legislative power of the state as experience has shown to be needed to | protect the inalienable rights of the | individual citizen from nasty, Oppres sive or harmful legislation. Subject | only to the constitution of the United States and the recognition of those basic rights which the declaration of | independence declared to be the en- dowment of all men, we favor the full retention by the state of its legislative | powers. with proper restrictions only upon the surrender, barter or giving away of any of its rights of regulation and control.
 We declare in favor of direct pri- maries for the nomination of state and county officers, and we favor the se- | lection of United States senators by popular vote.
 The power of taxation shall never be suspended nor surrendered. All taxes should be uniform. and the con stitution should provide a method of securing a comprehensive, just and effective system of taxation. No prop erty should be exempt from taxation excepting that belonging to the United States, the state and the counties and municipalities therein. and the bonds and obligations thereof, public ceme- teries, institutions of purely public charity, public hospitals and houses used exclusively for worship. house. hold goods. tools and implements of trade to each head of a family in an amount not exceeding in value five hundred dollars.
 The constitution should empower the legislature to license, regulate. control, restrain or prohibit, through statewide prohibition or local option. the manufacture and sale of intoxicat- ing liquors.
 The constitution should also empOw- CT the legislature to extend the cleo tive franchise to women.
 We favor the non-partisan election of judges
 We oppose the granting of exclusive franchises and believe that no fran chise should be granted except by general law and then for term not exceeding twenty-five years. Grants of corporate and other franchises should be forever subject to the regulation, amendment, or repeal. as may be pro- vided by law.
 We believe that all interests. indi- viduaI or corporate. should be equally protected under the law and should be equally amenable to the law.
 We believe that a system of well ar ranged and economically constructed highways should DC built and we favor the creation of partisan com mission to have charge of this impar- tant public work as may ne provide l by law.
 A great trust is conferred upon the people of the state in the gift of pub lie lands provided for in the enabling act. and ample provision should be made in the constitution for the hon est, economical and efficient manage ment and disposition of these public lands. to the end that the burden of taxation upon the people of the state may be reduced. In the case of pres ent occupants and holders of leases of school lands, provision should be made in the constitution for their reimburse ment for the actual value of the inn provements thereon and appurtenances thereto, to be ascertained by an i'm partial appraisement whenever said lands shall be sold as may be provided by law.
 Provision should be made in the constitution to prevent and prohibit combinations and conspiracies in the form of trusts or otherwise in re straint of trade or commerce within the state.
 In conclusion, we favor the framing of q constitution for the state of Ari- zona. which shall be truly progressive, simple in expression. easy of common understanding. broad enough to pro tect all classes of society. elastic enough to meet new conditions as they may hereafter arise, and which may be amended by a majority vote of the people.
 EARLY IN THE GAME.
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