Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-15
President Unsparing in
Condemning Arizona's
Clause.
VETO FOR STATEHOOD
Held TyranniCaI and Injurious
to the Cause of Free
Government.

Washington, Aug. IS President
Taft in special message TO the house
IF representatives, today vetoed the
Joint resolution providing for the ad-
mission of New Mexico and Arizona
TO statehood. His reason for exercis-
ing the executive power OF veto was
based on his thorough disapprovaI OF
the recall of judges clause in the Ari-
zona constitution. The fact that New
MeXico's statehood was bound up with
that Of Arizona meted out to il the
same fate, and neither territory can
come into the union at this time unless
friends of the joint resolution in con
Eress can m ister the two-thirds vote
necessary 10 pass the resolution over
the presidents veto. This may be at
tempted.
UNDER LEGAL TERRORISM.
The president did not spare words
fl coudemniug the recall feature Of
the Arizona constitution, which he
said. would compel judges to make
their decisions under legal terror
ism" The recall provision would op-
crate against all elective officers OF
Arizona. including both county and
state judges. When % per cent Of
the voters OF the previous election pc
titioned for a special election TO re-
move an official, such an election would
be compulsory.
This provision Of the Arizona con
stitutou," the president says, in its
application 10 county and state judges
seems to me so peruicIous IL its Ell
feet. so destructive Of Independence in
the judiciary, so likely 70 subject the
rights Of the individual to the possible
tyranny Of a popular majority. and.
therefore, 20 be so injurious to the
cause Of free government, must dis
approve & constitution containing it"
FOR FREE JUDICIARY.
Much of the message was devoted
TO a discussion OF the functions Of
the courts under the constitution.
The president dwelt at considerable
length on the necessity for freeing
the judiciary as much as possible
from politics or popular influence.
And, referring To the recall provi-
sion, he asked:
Gould there be a system more in
geniously devised 10 subject judges
to momentary gusts of popular pas
sion than this2
Attempt is made to defend the
principle of judicial recall by refer
ence to states in which judges are
said TO have shown themselves un-
der corrupt corporate influence and
IN which IL IS claimed that nothing
but desperate remedy viii suffice.
ADVISES I0IPEACHMENTS
IF the political control in such
states is sufficiently wrested from
corrupting corporations to permit
the enactment OF a radical constitu-
tioual amendment like that of jU-
diciaI recall. it would seem possible
TO make provision in its stead for an
effective remedy by impeachment in
which the Cumbrous features OF the
present remedy might be avoided,
but the opportunity for judicial hear
ing and defense before an impartial
tribunal might be retained. Real re-
forms are not 10 be effected by pat
ent short cuts or by abOlishing those
requirements which the experience Of
ages has shown to be essential in |
dealing Justly with every one.
Will. PLAGUE INVENTOR.
such innovations are certain N I
the long run 10 plague the inventor
or first user and Will come readily TO