Arizona republican., 1910-02-12

franchisement of this class of Mexi- cans. There is in every community and among every race an element un- fitted intellectually and morally to
 exercise the franchise. The effort to restrict this franchise if made should be directed towards the elimination of this clement alone. That this is d
 matter of great difficulty every one who has given thought to the matter
 must admit.
 It is. however, extremely doubtful if the quality of the Mexican vote will be improved by the enforcement of
 this law for the very best element among the Mexican population is that which resides on the farms and ranch es, and in the country communities. and this is the element which would be eliminated. The objectionable and purchaseable element among the Mex jeans, as among the Americans, is to be found largely about our towns and cities, and this element. in my iudg- ment, would be able for the most part to qualify in our elections Now and then colored man. and now and then an Italian, German or Bohemian may be disfranchised. but this number, in my judgment. would be insignificant as compared with the almost whole sale disfranchisement of the respccta- ble element of our Mexican popula- tion, who, by all the rights of birth ancestry. identification with the coun- try and treaty rights as well. have just claim to consideration in any ( < the privileges Of citizenship
 Assuming. which I do not admit. that an educational qualification is a good thing and that manhood suffrage Is Undesirable to be consistent and even reasonably fair it should apply alike to men of every race and color. It should be in truth an educational qualification and the means Adopted for enforcing it should be adequate. with sufficient safeguards to insure the utmost good faith in it's applica tioA- No hastily constructed or in- sufficiently thoaght. out scheme for the franchise ought to be tried The met in question is. in my Judgment. not only unjust in Its dis 'crimination against a class of citizens worthy of exercising the franchise and by every right of citizenship and long identification with the country entitled to 1t, but is so framed as to be the tin- strunent of gross fraud in the hands Of men who may choose to exercise It. This was very clearly pointed out in the very able veto message of Gov ernor kibbey. It leaves the matter in the first instance to the discretion of registering officers who, as we know. will either not exercise it or who will exercisetit too often as their partisan Judgment may suggest In the sec ond place it is left to the discretion of election boards under circumstances which will not admit of any fair de- termination even when such boards are Gisposed to- be fair, for the tmid and diffident may fail, although really qualified. when their right to vote is challenged and the test is made in the presence of possibly unfriendIy or critical audience. No right of review is provided for in either instance and their discretion. however unwisely or unfairly exercised, is final. I believe fhat beyond the question of oIalifica- tfon of the electors the question of h"nest administration of the election laws is of greater importance. I be-. lieve. therefore. it is unwise. even in an honest and sincere effort to ele-