Arizona republican., 1915-01-24
Similar to Law It Repeals, This Bill Has No Clause Cutting Off State anc County Support for the .AlmshouScs
BRINGS RELIEF TO
 THOSE NEEDING IT
Emergency Measure Passes Unanimously Won Klein Srid Addresses Solons on the Subject of Grim inology

In spite of the constitutional amendment adopted at the general election so limiting the power of the legislature that it might n0r amend or repeal laws enacted by the people under the initiative or the referend- dunn, the senate yesterday passed the GoldWater old age and mothers pen sion bill. repeating d bill of the same title adopted by the people The GoldWater bill differs from the old one in that it preserves thn county hospitals and places the burden of supporting eligibles to pensions upon the state instead of upon the counties. Also, it places a limitation upon those who are eligible but is sufficiently broad to afford relief to all who actu- ally need it.
 The bill was passed by the unani- nous vote of all the members of the senate present, sixteen. three having been excused. The measure had been under consideration almost since the converting of the legislature. It was decided that the initiated bill itself was unassailable in the courts but it was believed that a way would be found to repeal il in the terms of the constitutional amendment adopted with a view of preventing the legis- lature from interfering with direct legislation measures. The defect in the amendment was the result of care lessness, evidently. It unnecessarily described the measures to be immune as those which had been approved by q majority vote of the qualified cleo tors while the constitution itself states that a majority of the qualified cleo tors voting thereon is sufficient.
 The old age and mothers pension bill did not receive nearly a majority of the votes of the qualified electors of the state and for that matter, neith- CT did any submitted measure or any candidate for office.
 The only remarks upon the bill were made by Senator Webb of Maricopa county who said in part as follows:
 This is an emergency measure brought about as l believe by the cap tvating title of the proposition enact ed by the people, at the last general election. the "Old Age and Mothers Pensions Act"
 The far reaching consequence of that measure were never contemplated by the electorate of this state: the sale of all our hospitals and public in- stitutiOns of this state for the care of the .unfortunates who are helpless and unable to provide for themselves: as it makes no provision for the support of those not eligible; on account of age to receive aid by the terms of the act itself. It behoves us therefor to take such steps as are available to protect ourselves against the injurious effects of this measure.
 Hence the presentation of this bill for our consideration. Senate amended bill No. 16 now before us, is in strict compliance with that spirit of char ity that prompted the people to ap- prove the principle of an "Old Age and Mothers Pensions Act" leaving unmolested in each locality in this state the privilege of protecting those unable to support themselves, and not included in the pension act
 This bill enlarges the scope of the "Old Age and Mothers Pensions Act" and is more in accord with the dictates of humanity in it's final analysis.
 'I shall not attempt to deal fur ther with that feature of this mea- sure as in repeating the "Old Age and Mothers Pensions Act" the ques- tion of our powers to act, naturally arise, on account of the restrictions imposed on the legislature by the constitutional amendment. known as the initiative amendment to amend section 6, of article 4 of the consti- tuoi nof the state of Arizona.
 AS q layman, l shall say let us analyZe this constitutional amend =
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