Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-01
HERE TO HELP ALONG
ARIZONA STATEHOOD
Methodist Minister Explains
the Constitution He Assisted
in Making.

Rev. James e. Crutchfleld Of Arizona, a
Methodist minister. who was q delegate
to the constitutional convention OF the
territory, where he served as chairman
Of the committee on committees, and
preamble and bill of rights, and a men,
Der of the committee ON judiciary and
ordinance, has come to Washington to
assist the delegation already here In
furthering the passage Of the Joint state
hood bill by Congress at the present ses-
sion.
Mr.. Crutchfield Is enthusiastic In his
advocacy of the principles enunciated in
the Arizona constitution and told Star
reporter today that the people Of the
territory are more determined than ever
to maintain every governmental doctrine
laid down in 1t. He said:
1.-THE people of ARIZONA are fixed in
the conviction that the initiative, refer
endum and recall, corporation restriction,
direct primaries, ETC., ought to remain as
features of their fundamental law. Self
government Is the keynote of the con-
stitutiox. and We have provided the means
for the EXPRESSION Of the will of the cleo
tors at every turn in the affairs of our
government.
"of1cers are to be nominated by a
direct primary, senators by an advi-
sorry vote of the people; any citizen
can initiate a law and have 1t sub
mitted to vote, il he can secure the
signatures of 10 per cent of the cleo
tors praying for such action. No law
passed by the legislature shall become
effective until approved by majority
vote Of the people at a referendum
election, II 5 per cent of the voters
so request.
The Recall System.
Amy oficer, after six months in
ONCE. may be forced to stand for re-
election II % per cent of the
electors so demand. We do not expect
that this will ever be used save in ex-
ceptional cases. but it will serve as a
check to officials who desire to violate
their oath of ONCE or betray their con-
stituents.''
But. do you not think that judges
should be exempt from the provisions
of the recall?" he was asked.
'If I were bitterly opposed to the
recall of judges, do not think. that
would make any difference. since my
people are heartily for it. They wish
it. It is they who are to live under
it, If 1t proves good they will profit.
II IL proves defective they can change
it. II 1t proves bad they can abolish
It, It requires only majority to
amend our constitution"
What features of the constitution
do you consider most valuableE was
asked.
Besides these principles of self-gov-
eminent that are considered progress
sive and radical, we have many fea-
lures that have escaped attention for
the simple reason that they are above
criticism, such as anti-child labor laws.
juvenile courts, conservation OF school
lands and public forests; there are
some. features that interested parties
onnose bitterly but do not come out
in the open and fight. such as the
control by a commission of those cor
porations operated for public service,
and those offering stock for sale TO the
public; also the employers liability
law and the peoples veto on the dis
posai of valuable franchises by the
representatives OF a municipality.
Check to "Wildcatters."
"one clause which had the honor of
adding will put out of business scores
of wildcat companies. 1t puts under
the supervision Of the corporation COM
mission those corporations whose stock
is offered for sale to the public. The
mining and irrigation interests of the
state have been disgraced by bogus
claims, many of which have No ore at
all, or irrigation canals that cannot
carry water, have none to carry. and
have no land to put 1t on II they did.
The development OF valuable property
has been discredited by these parasites
that suck the life out of legitimate
business. The people of Arizona are
Jealous of their good name. and want
to purge themselves Of all those who
disgrace them. They are willing to
wait for posterity to ratify their Judg-
ment and wisdom in the adoption of
aHa arm forms n se1f-Government