Arizona republican., 1911-02-03
The Facts, Thus Far Developed.


 On the 9th instant-next Thursday will be held the territorial election on the question of ratifying the con- stitution.
 If this election were the last chap Ter in the statehood story. the only question for the people to decide would be: Do we want state gov ernment under this constitution? And in that case. the good and bad fea- lures of the constitution would be interesting topics for discussion.
 But it so happens that the good and bad features of the constitution are not practical questions, locally.
 The real question is: Win we gain or lose statehood by ratifying this constitution?
 We have absolutely no reason to modify the opinion we have pub- lished from time to time during the past six months-the opinion that the adoption of this constitution by the people of Arizona will be followed by its rejection at Washington.
 It is unnecessary to repeat-or at any rate it is unnecessary to amplify the statement frequently made in these columns. that We would be glad to have statehood with this constitu- ton or any other constitution that citizens of Arizona would write. While in our judgment. and in the judgment of thousands of other citi- gems of Arizona. this constitution formulates doctrines which are ob- jectionably socialistic and contradic- tory to the American theory of gov ernment. we are confident that Ari- zona if admitted under this constitu- ton would not become a socialist commonwealth. Our great confidence in the patriotism and sound common sense of the Arizona people in their final judgment forbids a fear that they would continue to follow social ist leaders. Up to the first of last | July. the average citizen of the ter ritory had never heard of the ore gon doctrines" The sudden en- thusissm with which these doctrines were embraced did not and does not | indicate that the ultimate judgment of the people will be in their favor | Trial of these doctrines for a few years would, we feel certain, lead to their abandonment or very radical The very great interest manifested by our citizens in the pro- posed framework of their govern ment was and is a healthy sign. Occasional bad judgment is not sign of bad citizenship. It is in- finitely better for a commonwealth that its citizens make serious mis- takes. provided they take an eager interest in their government. than that they should take no interest in public affairs beyond selling their votes It would be better to have our entire population temporarily enamored of the widest vagaries, rather than to have a considerable number Of our citizens so apathetic |, and venaI as to be classed with the h people of Ohio. Illinois. Indiana, and some other states. There Is yet to be an instance of an Ameri- can selling his vote in Arizona, and ,s SO long as we maintain this clean record, we need have no fear that such citizens would make shipwreck of self-government
 This. we believe. answers sufficient 1, y fully several inquiries which we Ii nave received lately. h But while the foregoing expresses the opinion of The Republican and of the average citizen of the territory. he question still remains: Win state h hood be helped. or hindered, by the T of this constitution? Throughout the long period of dis cussion The Republican has done it's {,