Bisbee daily review., 1911-10-24
To lhe EdIlor of Ihe Revlew:


 Sir:
 Although now a resident of San
 Diego. l have not lost interest in
 Arizona. and try to keep in touch
 with affairs in the territory through the Arizona newspapers. of which find the Review among the most in-
 teresting and reliable.
 | read with interest and approval the editorials in last Sundays Re
 view; The Real Danger and the Only
 one" and The Stability of Dem. ocracy." Also. enjoyed your coni ments on Eome or the so-called pro gressiye candidates and self-appoint-
 ed mentors Of the Arizona democ- racy. Reformers. (God save the
 mark,b How the representatives of "the interests" will tremble when ;he doughty champions of the people" Ives, Ashursl ct als. appear in the forum at the national capital.
 We have the same brand of reform CTS here In California. lead by the .faultless and self-sacrifcing Hiram
 W. Johnson, governor. and his lieuten- ant. Frank Heney, 30 well known in N '
 ,ol his virtues here. They won . notable victory for popular govern
 mentr in the recent election in this states which resulted in the adoption
 og all of the twentyIthree amend ments to the constitution submitted 10 the voters. by maiOrities ranging,
 as rule, well over 100000, the equal suffrage amendment alone having
 been opposed witll any spirit. That
 election furnished an impressive ex
 ample of the lack of discrimination
 Of the electorate. and what degree ot
 success may be expected oi govern.
 ment. by direct vote Of the people. or the G00.00o, or more, registered voters in the state barely onet1ird. or 200.00, took the trouble to go to the polls and express a preference, while 100000 voters through aps-
 thy or other causes. remained away. As q consequence. one Of the most important elections ever held in Cal l ifornla, resulting in the adoption of amendments to the state constitution that are revolutionary in their effect,
 was decided about by l20,000 voters. one.fifth of those clothed with the right of ranchise and whose duty n
 was 10 exercise that privilege. Your
 modern reformer prates about major | ity rule" and government by the peo- pie" but it is true in perhaps a major 1 ity of cases, as in the instance here cited. that elections and great issues are decided by minoTlties. Neglect l of civic duties bs. voters has been detrimental in the past, bur under the system or state wide Initiative
 and referendum it, becomes absolute | ly dangerous.
 Governor Johnson who professes ! to be So very jealous of the peoples right 10 decide for themselves i'm portant issues and name public of- ficiais succeeded in having adopted an amendment to the constitution giving the governor the appointing | Of the railroad commissioners in lieu ' of the present method Of election by | the people. This is a queer sort Of i rofz'essive legisjarion. Another l amendment enlarges the right of rail- | roads 10 grant passes. In addition to those who heretofore have enjoyed
 the privilege, all employees of the rail | road commission and all peace officers
 may now ride free. The railroad oc- ' topus has not lost any Of its tent acles since Hiram went into office, although during the campaign prior ' to his election he never tired Of tell | ing what be was going to do 10 the railroads when he became the states ! executive. Other amendments in. clude the initiative, referendum, and | the recall of the judiciary as we'll as
 of other public officials. equal suf. 1 frage and others Of doubtful adyau.
 tage.