Weekly journal-miner., 1912-07-31


 diversity of opinion among the law makers of the state as to whom is responsible for the enactment of the miners lien law. against which a ref erendum is now being invoked in this and other counties and the longer the discussion the more acrimonious it waxcs.
 In the forefront of the referendum movement in this county is Senator Homer Wood, which fact has caused some of his legislative col leagues to indulge in criticism of him of not the most kindly char acter. Senator IT. A. Davis refuses 10 be held alone responsible for the enactment of the unpopular measure and defends himself by passing the buck" good and strong. by pointing out the fact that the bill came ont of committe, of which Senator Wood was a member. without, adverse or minority report. In recent interview Davis said:
 "1n view of the effort being made in Mohave and Yavapai counties to invoke the referendum against the miners lien law. and the attending effort to direct criticism against me for the presence of the law upon the statute books, I believe some of the record on the measure will be enlightening Here are some of the facts:
 "i. The miners lien law passed the house almost unanimously. It was passed by representatives from the mining counties.
 2. It was introduced by a mem Der from the largest mining county of the state, Mir. Graham of Cochise.
 5. It was reported favorably to the senate by the committee on mines and mining. This appears from the record of May IS:
 "'Mr. President: Your committee on mines and mining begs leave to report that it has examined II. B. W (thc lien law), and respectfully recommend that it do pass.
 "'GEO. II. CHASE, Chairman
 "The other members of that com mittee are Lovin of Mohave, Heeht- man of Gila, Wood of Yavapai and Brown of Pinal.
 There was no dissenting voice no minority report The bill had been before the committee for a considerable time. Surely. the senators from Yavapai and Mohave could have found time 10 construct a minority report if the matter was of such vital importance to their counties.
 "4. The bill passed to third read ing by viva voice vote. When it came lip for final passage. a sud den change became apparent. Sen ator Wood of Yavapai moved to recommit 1t to the committee of the whole, but failed. Senator Cunniff then took the lead in the fight against the bill
 "S. A peculiar and unexplained thing now took place. The Hunt county division bill. which had a, last reached place on the senate calendar where iis friends were con fident of having it considered, was recalled by the house This action practically killed the division bill. In supporting the motion in the house to withdraw the division bill from the senate. a member is re- ported to have said, in effect: "A certain highly educated college grad uate. who poses as the friend of the working people for political pur- poses only, but who at heart is utterly out of sympathy with the laboring classes and has demon strated the fact several times since the beginning of the present ses- sion--this gentleman. I understand. Is using the Hunt county bill as a club over the heads of others 10 defeat the miners lien bill. Rather than see him accomplish that ob. ject. l am willing to sacrifice the Hunt county bill'
 e The miners lien bill was passed in the senate, three members of the committee that reported |, fayorably voting agains, it Hecht- man and Brown of the committee voted for it. Those voting for the bill were; Cochise county, Senator Sims; Cila county. Senator Hughes and Worsley; Pinal county. Senator Brown; Willis of. Navajo. HubbeI of Apache. Pace of Croham and the two members from Maricopa. Sen.