Arizona republican., 1915-04-30
Land leqislation

From time O The Republican has pressed that party politics has been allowed dominate public that the public business has been allowed suffer lslrtsan mac hinery might be strengthened and kept ltlnnins smoothly We pleased. however, then observe that the party may be made serve the public interest While tha5 service is necessarily selfish, it may be none the less effective valuable.
 one of the great subjects which confronted the second legislature the public land question. The democratic and progressive parties put blanks their platforms last fall relating this sub j,cL Tine republican party made declaration itb respect lands. progressive platform favored adoption 9 general policy for the ad- rninistrston of ali the lands granted to the state ty- enabling act. including a recommendation for the disposition of the school lands. but the demo- cratic rartsfs declaration related only to the i'm IlcdiateIy urgent school lands held under government irrigation projects. The progressive Iiatfcrm contained plank urging the early selec- and sale of the lands especially granted to the counties Pima. Maricopa, YavaIai and Coconino
 The control oy the democrats of the second les islature absolute any secured by arty over Iav-ulskng body. yet ihat psrty failed redeem very important pledge. though urged the beginning do When extra found necessary, still step taken incluoe the redemption of this pledge in the leg islation be enacted. It neither conten- plated desired that it should De done
 But party leaders. whatever might have been their interest in land question: had a very vital interest the democratic party. They saw that neglect uf this legislation would be fltaL They waved a warning before the executive and legislative branches of the government who seemed h.vc forgotten that the platform of the party ou ScItemicr 29. last. declared: We favor a fuli perfect compliance. after the completion of the report of the commission, with the consti- tuttonal mandate relating the adjustment Of claims improvements placed by lessees school lands held under lease prior to statehood in ali cases where such lessees have in good faith plicl with the laws designated for the temporary administration of school lands and where state lands under reclamation irrigation projects ineligible. while under ownership of -he state, secure for purposes Of irrigation. favor their sale bona-fide residents and homeseekers under such conditions as and terms be the best interests of the state and equt- able as between tho state and the purchasers
 The pledge has yet been redeemed and il is still to he whether the wings of the party be brought together for it's redemption: whether the warning of the leaders shall be needed The bare and redemption it will give to line people what they what they have l'ccted. a definite land policy, for whatever may be decided upon respect the disposition of the occupied school lands would be only small part @ a general land policy.
 If however. only thIs much IS accomplished, it win been done because the democratic party believed i the right thing to do but because the party was afraid do the right thing.
 e would add warning that of the lead of the democratic party, that further inaction in matter of public would party suicide.