Arizona republican., 1911-02-11
OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN,
Phoenix. EehruarE 10. 1911
MR.. PRESIDENT:

al
development and prosperity OF the territory take the
liberty of asking you approve the Arizona constitution
| am quite strongly opposed to some of the dis
tngushing features of the constitution understand
YOU to be- In ventung suggest that waive such
objections as may to you, abandon none OF my
own And in expressing these sentiments believe am
stating the attitude OF practically all the repuDlcans
of Arizona
While Yesterdays election resulted in ratification
by jory comprising nearly eighty per cent OF the
cast and while this result contained no element
adverse vote by measures the total conservative
vote of the territory. Ratification by an immense ma
jOrity certainty in the minds OF all and Tor TINS
reason large proportion of citizens who do not approve
the constitution did take the trouble to vote More
there heavy vote for ratification by citizens
who do not approve all the distinguishing doctrines OF
the constitution They voted for it two grounds:
l. Because under the terms of the enabling act,
rejection the polls could not result in another conven
ton made up of different set of delegates but must be
followed by convention made up of the same delegates
that framed this constitutiOn-and the leaders OF this
convention had publicly announced that, if required TO
meet again. they would defianty refuse to change
line %
> Because of the extreme desire for statehood 1t
was felt and believed that Notwithstanding the known
opposition of democratic and republican leaders IN con
grpss and Notwithstanding the objections which YOU were
understood to entertain statehood would somehow come
out of it ALL.
So universal is this desire for statehood that the
result would have been ratification by overwhelming
majority in favor of amy constitution, whether conser
vative radical. do not wish, however, to obscure
the fact that at present the prevailing sentment IN
Arizona is distinctly radical 1t is not necessary to dis
crss here the of this IadicaSm the sundry
things which to extent have justified the feeling.
But do wish to lay emphasis my firm belief that 1t
will be shown in due that there is majority
of who wish accomplish reforms without tearing
things up by the roots
1t is so easy to draw wrong conclusions from the
developments of the past SIX months, that great care
should be used in ana wing the situation here Untnend
critics of the Arizona people will say of that the
doctrines enunciaed in the constitution furnish ther
proof of unrpeneSs for self government but the
assumption does injustice. 1t seems to me that
the very eagerness with which the problem has been met
of itself good sign If the people had shown apathy
in looking after the details of their proposed government
would have been bad sign The worst that can be
said of us is that zeal has been msdrected. The
citizenship of Arizona is exceptionally high IN character
In long residence in the territory have never heard
of citizen Of American stock selling his vote
Possibly there other features of the constitution
than the much discussed initiative, referendum, and
recall which will meet opposition in the congress and
be Objectionable to YOU But if there SUCH beg to
suggest that the task OF correcting any mistakes can b
wisely left to the people of the proposed state Most
fortunately, the constitution may be easily amended
And if there be conditions contained IN the
constitution it is after ALL and not the people OF any
other state. who must suffer Inconvenience
As the provisions for the initiative and the refer
endum it would that both the executive and the
legislative departments OF the government may safely
waive such objections suggest themselves. III view OF
the litigation pending in the supreme court OF the
United States from the of Oregon which will deter
mine the question OF cOnSuuonally OIL CheSe pIihcleS
If the supreme court shall uphold the contention that
these principles in harmony with the republican form
of government the conclusion follows that the people of
Arizona should not be denied the privilege OF including
them in their government. IT, on the other hand, the
supreme court shall decide that these doctrines are con
trarv to the federal constitution the provisions relating
thereto will at once become imperative.
As to recall which / regard vicious in principle
when applied to other than purely local affairs and as
wholly unnecessary for correction of official misconduct
it does not appear that its application in Arizona could
work to the injury of the people of other states that
the question becomes one for decision IN Arizona only
as to its ACCESSIBILITY. Very respectfully.
SIMS ELY.
Managing Editor The Republican.
HON. WILLIAM H. TAFT,
The White House. Washington, ID. C.