The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-07

BIGGEST ISSUE
| FOR ARIZONA
Defeat of Capital Punishment
Caused by Fear of Anti
Saloon Vote
Only THREE-FOURTHS
OF TOTAL VOTE CAST
Sociologists Feel People Have
Not Yet Expressed Them
selves on Referendum

PHOENIX. Ariz., Dec. Tn analyz-
ny the recent Arizona election, stu
ents OF sociology whose attention
has attracted through the defeat OF
he referendum measure abolishing
apital punishment will find food for
more than passing thought. The re-
ult OF the election has more TAR
eaching importance than the mere
healing OF the doom OF ten or dozen
men who had hoped that popular
Fote would have their lives.
The official returns on the legisla-
i've measures are still lacking from
wo counties, but semi-ofiicial figures
brove Interesting. The total votes
last for governor, United States SEN
ktor and other state Offices TO be
hlled varied In round numbers from
5000 to $4,000, and an equal vote was
last on the prohibition amendment
Din the question of the adjustment or
capital punishment. however, less
han $4,000 voters expressed TIN
Selves, and the measure was defeated
by only little over 200. The ques-
lion Their arises: Have the people or
krizona really spoken on this subject,
Notwithstanding the referendum, or
lid Ii 20 by default through lack or
interest. attention being diverted In
bther directions
The registered vote OF the state was
hbout 65 900, SO that little more than
hrea-fourths OF the voters expressed
themselves on any question, and on
his question little more than half OF
hem voted, those who did pass judg-
nent BEING quite evenly divided. The
question is OF such importance that It
might well he inquired why the people
Failed to vote, and II finds answer In
variety OF reasons. Notwithstanding
he adoption OF the state constitution
by vote OF disappointing numbers,
there is a very healthy minority in
Arizona which has no friendship for
referendum machinery. Many Of them
ordinarily vote against referendum
measures on general principles. pre-
ferring to defeat even good law
Father than to secure one through
buch process. Others interested In
issues that come closer TO home urged
voters to pass up" everything except
fhe one measure they were most con-
terned In and which was identified
)ey number.
Again, there was a large number of
women who voted for the first time.
Some got stage fright as the blanket
ballot spread before them. Many went
70 the polls to vote for the particular
candidate or issue that concerned
them and let the rest GO
In many instances this issue was
prohibition with both men and women.
That amendment received In the ag-
|gregate about as many votes as were
cast for all candidates for any particu-
lar state office. Expression on capital
was far behind, though It
ranked several other referendum
measures that were known TO be OF
strictly Socialist or strictly corpora
tion origin.
Prohibition was the paramount is
sue. Men who at other times hold
decided opinions on capital punish.
ment as well as the liquor question
In this instance lost sight of every
thing but the latter, which they be-
lieved TO be vital whichever side
claimed their alignment, especially
this year, when the success OF prohi-
bltion meant the further disturbance
or business, already suffering from
nation wide conditions. The gov.
ernorship was second in Importance.
but the present incumbent held DO.
sition SO impregnable he devoted most
or his attention TO furthering the ref
erendum for atolishing capital pun
1shment, the keynote OF his campaign.
The Republican strength that devel-
oped against him was no less surpris-
Ing TO most Of the Republicans than
IL was to Gov. Hunt.
Another conclusion is OF some in
terest. relative TO the operations OF
the initiative and referendum. The
governor had been one of It's most
ardent advocates, and was president
or the convention that devised the
constitutions document so planned
that the people should make their
own law-let the people rule; and
now he has witnessed the slaughter
OF his favorite measure at the hands
OF minority of the popuace. Il does
not appear that majority OF the peo-
pie have yet expressed themselves In
this question.