Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-21
ARIZONA SHOULD Be ADMITTED
Colonel Roosevelt Discusses It's Con-
stitution in Address.
PEOPLE WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS
Thinks Recall OF Judiciary May ne
wronR, but ~ should Not Bar
the state from Admission
to the UniOn.


PHoBNIx. Ariz.. March 90 - Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt addressed one OF the
largest throngs ever assembled IN the
southwest on the Plaza here today, his
theme being Arizona statehood. Colonel
Roosevelt arrived from Mesa AZ noon, at
tended luncheon given In his honor by
members OF his former Rough Rider regl-
ment and then proceeded to the Plaza.
Colonel RoOseveIt's Address.
Colonel Roosevelt said In part:
Il regret that Arizona was not admitted
to statehood by the last congress- and I
trust that the next congress will admit IT,
The objections to admitting It regard as
without warrant OF justice. Apparently
these objections have been chiefly or en-
lrely due to the fact that Arizona has
adopted IN its constitution the referendum
initiative and recall.
Il do not agree With the form in which
Arizona adopted the recall, especially as
regards the judiciary. but while l regret
that Arizona should have adopted the re-
call in this fashion I not merely admit
but insist that this is a matter purely for
ArizonaB own decision, and that neither
the opinion OF myself or any other out
slider has the slightest bearing on Arizona 8
right TO the privileges OF statehood. What
question may be has nothing whatever to
do with AriEona's right 70 its own views.
The principles OF the initiative and
referendum may or may not be adapted
TO the needs Of q given state under given
conditional believe they are useful in
some communities and not in others-but
to deny a territory the right Of statehood
because It has adopted these principles Is
wrong. II the constitution OF the United
states forbids the use OF the referendum
or initiative, then the constitution should
be amended without delay.
RiEhts of states and People.
Il am a strong nationalist, but 1 am no
less e believer in the rights Of the states
wherever the rights OF the state mean the
rights Of the people The United States
government is in honor bound to admit
Arizona under it's present constitution.
I wish It distinctly understood that
while there are many provisions in your
proposed constitution with which I most
heartily agree, there are some with which
disagree and notably among these IL the
provision OF the recall and policy affect
ing the judiciary
II admit the melancholy fact that there
are states where judges have so acted as
to make It justifiable and necessary for the
people to admit measures for retiring all
such judges from office. But, speaking
generally and as regards most communi-
ties under normal conditions, l feel that II
IL to the interest Of decent citizens, who
want nothing but justice in It's broadcast
and truest sense. not 10 adopt any measure
which would make judges timid, which
would make them fearful lest deciding
rightly in some given case might arouse
storm Of anger. temporary, but fatal.
In any event, q measure fraught with
such possibility OF mischief as the recall
OF Judges. as you have provided for IT,
should not be adopted until by actual ex-
pertinent you are driven to IT as a neces-
sary but Tegrettable method Of doing away
with some even worse evn."