Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-02-09
TWO NEW AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONS.

Mucn has been said about radical and
lnsur1ent platforms or the program of
radicals as an indication of the tendency
OF the people to realign themselves into
II new groups in matters political State
constitutions are, however. much more
serious instruments than party plat
forms and their reflection as to the ten
dency of the times is of more significant
import. Much then may be learned
from the constitutions of the proposed
new States. New Mexico and Arizona,
which having Statehood conferred upon
them, had then to draw up and submit
their proposed constitutions. New
Mexico drafted simple charter and
ends to leave many pending questions
be dealt with by the legislature.
while Arizona intends to anticipate
prevent and control, to safeguard
rights, impose reforms by organic law
and render reactionary legislation diff
cult if not impossible.
The respective constitutions of the
= two bodies present an interesting con-
trast. Each has its critics and defend
but to the philosophic observer the
: pding of the ideas and tenden-
Iectively embody are more
he merit or demerit of
>in either of them.
gple of Arizona
referendum am en per cent of
the voters may, tion, propose
any law quite independently of the leg
islature. If majority of the voters
are in favor of it at the next election
the law goes into effect. Five per cent
OF the voters may, by petition, order
the submission to the people of any act
passed by the legislature, except acts
Immediately necessary to preserve pub
49, lie peace, health or safety. The act
does not then become law unless a
majority of the voters approve it. ANY
elective officer, having been six months
or more in office, is subject to a recall
election upon petition of twenty-five per
cent of the voters. Moreover, fifteen
per cent of the voters may propose any
amendments to the constitution itself
or an amendment may be proposed by
simple majority of both houses of the
legislature. If a majority of qualified
voters approves the amendment at the
next election it becomes effective.
10 short, Arizona is convinced by the
experience Of the last hundred and
twenty years that the people of this
country are really capable of governing
themselves; that they can be trusted to
say for themselves whether they want
certain law or wish to retain a certain
public servant; that they can even be
trusted in the nnnmentous matter of
amending their own organic law. t
This then may be said to represent
the radical element in the government
of States.
New Mexico, on the other hand rep
resents the conservative element of the
foot hill States; although many of the
Aprovisions of the proposed organic
harter of this State will seem radical
o the States on the Atlantic Coast. 1t
has the referendum provision but none
relative to the initiative. 1t has a
stringent anti-pass clause, and provides
or an elective corporation commission
% supervise corporations and regulate
rates. The fee system in public Offices
) 8 abolished; seperate schools for Span
sh Americans are prohibited; discrimi-
alton in suffrage or duty on account of
liability to speak English is likewise
Prohibited. 1t is made difficult to
mend the constitution. In short it |
hey have ''joIied'' the radi
ht while at the same time have
charter that may be consider |
and sane" for a new South
State.
harters are now up to the Ma
government to approve or dis
What ever the action that may
en- there will no doubt be many
ting discussions IS to the merits
merits of each and much to be
by the people if they will care
1d intelligently digest the dis