The Washington herald., 1911-01-13
From the Daily Globe, Globe, Arfz.

From the Daily Globe, Globe, Ariz.
Since the return from Washington Of
several prominent Republicans, with the
advice that the President would not ap-
prove Arizona's constitution. the Daily
Globe has taken the position that while
the President had undoubtedly expressed
his unofficial diSapproval of the consti-
tuition, it was no certain indication that
he would reject the document when it
came to him for official action.
To this argument Republicans who
desire Statehood above all else and
Democrats in the same position have
asked for assurance that the progressives
in Congress would not be antagonistic to
the constitution. as it was stated by
Gov. Sloan. upon his return from Wash
ington. that the progressives. Republi-
can and Democratic, would be opposed
to its progressive features. They have
asked for some word Of Endorsement of
the constitution from progressive Sem
ator, preferably a progressive Republi-
can.
will be more:
Clean-cut Indorsement.
H., Washington, D. C.. Dec 9. 1910.
A3OIf- 9SoI &c v" ClODe, AT1Z.
My Dear Sir: / am in receipt of your
letter. inclosing a copy Of the constitu-
tIon drafted by the Arizona constitutional
convention. of which you were president,
and note your desire for an expression
or my views regarding the same, my
opinions being desired for publication. I
have received letters from other promi-
nent residents of Arizona, making SINH
lar request. and for convenience shall
make my letter to you an answer to all,
and send each copy of this letter.
You say that fight has developed
against the adoption of the constitution
BY the people at the election of February
:. and am advised by others that the
principal objection to it is the popular
atve and referendum and the recall One
of your citizens informs me that the
assertion has been made that the PreSi-
dent will disapprove the constitution be-
cause these provisions have been incor-
porated in it, and because Of fear of such
action on his part some favor the re-
lection of the constitution by the people
on February 3. in the hope of Fastening
Statehood by such course.
Inherent Right to Control.
At the outset. let me say that the
question whether the President will or
Will not approve the constitution should
be wholly immaterial. The people of
Arizona have wisely Incorporated in their
them to control legislation and keep their
public servants accountable to them.
This principle is fundamentally and
eternally right, and the people of Arizona
should adhere to 1t even if they thereby
forfeit Statehood forever They had
better lose Statehood than yield their
right to control their State government. |
What mockery it is to start a consti- |
tuition with a preamble declaring, I'VE, |
the people of Arizona, grateful to AL |
mighty God for our liberties" and then !
harbor for an instant the thought Of sur !
rendering or limiting that God-siven lib |
erty at the instance of any man who |
happens to occupy temporarily the Office !
or President. Dictation from one man at !
I he people of Arizona as dictation from |
London was to the American colonists. |
and no sovereignty should be recognized |;
except the sovereignty Of the people who |
and State constitutions and statutes If |,
the people of Arizona are so craven in |
spirit or so doubtful of their own intelli- |
Gence and their own ability to govern |
themselves as to consider the elimination |
Of the popular government features of !
their new constitution. then I shall be !
doubtful of their fitness for Statehood. |
Entertaining as I do these views of the |
right of the people of Arizona to control |
their own State affairs. ] do not deem |
II proper to discuss the possibility of the |
disapproVal OF the constitution by the |
President.
Interference from Washinstou,
As already stated, in my opinion the |
people of Arizona acted wisely in max
ing the initiative and referendum and |
recall part of their constitution am
informed that during the campaign for
the election OF delegates to the constitu-
ti0nai convention prominent Federal
official went to Arizona and endeavored
to prevent the election OF delegates IA
Forable to these features of popular gov
and that funds from unknown |
sources were supplied to defray the ex-
oense of employing outsiders to canvass
he Territory in opposition to the initia-
i've i've and referendum in particular. Let
signature of a discredited machine poll
tcian in Oregon. advising the people Of
Nrlzona to avoid the initiative as you
Influences. be it said to the credit of |
'our people. they elected delegates favor
ipie TO popular government. and as a
your proposed constitution
'eserVeS to the people the power to con-
rol legislation and to discharge unfaith-
ul public servants
System a Demonstrated Success.
The action of your people was guided
argely by the experience of the people of
oregon. who have now enjoyed popular
government for eight years. You were
wise in following such guidance, for in
he past eight years the people of Ore
ION have voted upon total of sixty
our measures submitted to popular vote, |
md have not made a single mistake.
while they have in numerous instances
ecured advanced legislation which they
Guild not secure from the legislature, |
nd have defeated a number of unwise
cts passed by the legislature
The Oregon system. which your con- :
tltutional convention adopted in part, is !
lot theory: it is a demonstrated sue
ess. That our people are satisfied is |
.roven conclusively by their action in
he recent election. when by a vote of ]
1000 for to nearly $1,000 against, they
efeated an act Of the legislature calling
constitutional convention to revise the ;
constitution, the understanding being ; ;
hat such convention would probably
lirninate the initiative and referendum I
r limit its use. Instead of consentjn1 To '
diminution of their power, the people I
oted to increase their power by adopt !
1g an initiative measure proposed by
1yseif; giving the people opportunity in
hoice for party candidates for President
nd Vice President and to select dele
ateS to national conventions and norni-
ate candidates for Presidential electors [
Hereafter the people of Oregon, and not 4
ne political bosses. will instruct dele r
upport for party candidates for Presi.
ent and Vice President. In my opinion
ne people of other States will demand O
nd secure similar power in which event t
ne steam roller will be relegated to the a
olitical scrap heap and its Operators To q
Of things forgotten.
The Judiciary and the Recall.
am advised that your recall CLAUSE IN E
eemed Objectionable because It applies
, the judiciary as well as to leRislafive II
nd executive officers. In this psrticulsr Ill
is the same as our Oregon recall nro.
fsion. and Oregon has not found II un.
am sure there b no man
n the bench in Oregon who would hesi-
ate to submit his record for honesty III