Arizona republican., 1915-01-05
Economy Measures


 The legislature which will next Monday will have two very important tasks before it. both of which will be less time-consuming. One of these will be the consideration of a mine tax law. Whether not shall be adopted whether sion proceed under the power vested in it by the existing statutes this question will be fought over at great length. The other imminent and pressing matter will be the formulation land policy
 We rather believe a considerable part the rest of the business before the legislature will sist of measures mostly in the way of proposed constitutional amendments, looking reforms the interest of greater economy in the conduct the government of the counties and the state. The past three years have developed many gross defects in constitution, notwithstanding it's supposed freedom from earthly mperfections, notwithstand- ing the description formerly applied to it, "A God given instrument"
 Under the constitution may have econom- government but unfortunately the constitution does nos restrict to that kind of government The result has been that in most of the counties, as well as the state, the aim has been how much of the peoples money may be saved but Q see much the people may be mucted in order that all possible expenditures which the stitution permits may be iDduged in.
 Various members of the legislature well taxpayers associations, have proposed plans for reduction wherever possible of the cost of govern ment. of these propose lessenng of the cost and an increase efficiency of legisation others look the topping off of unnecessary off cers and a great reduction in the number of depu- ties and clerks. The general purpose of all these measures is reduce the county and state govern ments to business s-like basis Almost everything
 ttttI- ton
 At q meeting O the Graham County Taxpayers Association the other day resolution was adopted, favoring an increase of the ratio of population to superior judges Under the terms of the resolution there could he than superior judge for each 6O,oOo of population Such an arrangement would greatly reduce the number judicial districts which districts in name only, each district be- ing a county whether large small There would be combinations embracing each, two more coun- ties make up the judicial districts
 In the large counties, the courts have round that they can very easily handle the business before them There must, therefore be great waste of time and money the transaction of court business n counties than those of the first. second and third classes.
 The resolutions do not propose details but simi- lar propositions from other sources looking to the same end would have court held in each county belonging to a combination district. the clerk of the court for that county to also the clerk of the board of supervisors.
 It may be that the proposed ratio of 6d,ooo IS too great. The judges of the three largest counties are now pretty well occupied. but if it were placed at 3O 0oc it would give each of the three more pop counties separate district while the other counties would be grouped into five districts There would thus be saved salaries of six superior judges amounting to $lS,009, one-half of which is paid by the counties the other half by the state In addi- ton. there would be saving to the six counties of not less than s750O by combination of the duties of clerk of the court and clerk of the board ot supervisors
 The Graham county ratio would group all the counties into five districts.