Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-04-10

originally been adopted III both
branches of the legislature, senate
hill No 80. the six mile liquor law,
became a law Ut the state today, the
veto OF Governor Hunt notwith-
standing II had been decided by a
caucus of Democratic members this
morning that the veto would be
overridden. but there was delay until
late IN the afternoon session before
the vote was taken
Billiard Offers Opinion.
Attorney General Billiard had been
asked for an opinion concerning the
rights of the legislature to create
emergency measures. and the action
on the veto was taken Immediately
following the reading OF his opinion
in the senate and afictward IN the
house.
Legislature Held Supreme.
Bullard held that the making OF
emergency legislation was an ex-
elusive preogativc of the legislature
membership and a veto was non
consequential rs 10 validity OF the
proposed law The legislature could
pass a bill a an emergency measure
and the governor might veto II as
was the case in the liquor bill. but
when the legislature and the gov
crnor have settled their differences
by legislative action on the veto,
then the incident is closed and IL is
a matter that the law Office OF the
state can not legally determine.
The Ghost Of the Constitution.
The spirit Of the constitution. how
ever. he stated, was that only mat
tiers OF grave emergency and appro-
priations for state institutions should
be exempted from the referendum
clause.
Slate Was Made.
There was little. ii any argument
prior To the vote on the veto. II
was a foregonc conclusion that the
veto would not be sustained. those
who really desired that bill be passed
being strengthened by that element
in both houses who find pleasure in
expressing their disagreement with
Hunt The executive takes the leg
islative action very philosophically
and is content TO allow the matter
TO slumber until next fall when the
voters can pass on his action. His
veto, however. has had tendency
to stop the general use Of the EN-
Urgency clause on proposed legisla-
ton.
Our Constitution" No More.
Out OF the entire situation. Wood
of Maricopa, has found much to en-
JOY The Yavapai members. both
Cunnif and Wood. have harped in
ccssantly concerning their baby
the constitution" and the wonder
ful referendum" and now TO find il
~ 'aa9 HaAi'i 10 NpNt 10 utny
the people the right of review, es-
pecially when the legislation in
question was being urged only by
the liquor interests and not by men
"of other pursuits. was more than he
could reconcile. He served notice
on them that all talk concerning
Our constitution" would. hereafter
have to be barred from their CON
yersations directed toward him
Hard Ones for G. Purdy.
So Disguised was Wood of Mari
oopa, with the sidestepping OF Bull
lard that he offered the following
resolution which the majority mem
bers hurried TO bury by laying it
on the table after the same was
read:
Resolved that the following
queries are hereby propoundcd to
the attorney general by the senate,
and that he be requested to give a
written answer to the same at his
earliest convenience:
"(a) Is IL not evident from the
constitution Of Arizona, that the OBJ
ject OF the referendum section in
said constitution is to give the peo-
pie the power of vetoing the acts
Of the legislature'
"tb) Is II not true that under this
opinion-your opinion-that by the
use Of the formula OF the constitu-
ton, viz: the phrase to preserve
the public peace. health or safety.
or to provide appropriations for the
support and maintenance of the de-
partmen,s OF state and of state In.
stitutions,' you make the legislature
the sole Judge Of what is an emerg
ency
"(c) II the legislature is the sole