The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-17
DEMAND REPEAL OF
ARIZONA FREAK LAWS
Citizens Want Referendum
Methods Changed to Pre-
vent Abuses.
LEGISLATURE TO BIZ BUSY

PHcVIx. Ariz.. Jan. 12.--lmportant
changes IN Arizona's governmental sys-
TEN may result from the regular session
Of the Second state Legislature, which
began here January II. nstiutlona!
amendments cutting down the Legislature
TO one house Of fifteen members, and pro-
vdlng that state officers shall serve four
years instead Of two. will be introduced
and probably submitted b the people at
the next general election In 1915.
Virtually all the thrty-tive Representa-
tives and nineteen Senators came 10
PhwnN with grips full of bills ana
amendments which will vitality affec' the
newest state II they ever 10 into effect
When adopted. Arizoua's advanced Con
stltu'iou was supposed to he perfect. but
the initiative and referendum have re-
suited In the adoption OF much freak
legislation and there Is a widespread de-
mlnd for changes along other lines.
The adoption Of the 50 per cent citizen
ship ac' antl-bldckist bill and mothers
pension law at the November election
convinced a large number OF citizens
as soon rs their true import became APP
parent. that volunteer legislators from
the body polite are likely to make mis-
'akes. 7 It X ais, becoming recognized by
many that body Of men. elected at ran.
two yepIs. cannot he trusted to adopt well
considered. intelligent legislation u'tsd t.
tho needs ~ a growing state with ii
Verse conditions
The Powers legislative amendment will
provide that the hftecn members ~ q
single house shall sit soy raj months each
year. They will constitute legislative
commission rather than a Legislature.
The proposed amendment providing that
officers shall serve four years also viii
prevent any officer succeeding himself
Under .hc Arizona Constitution. 10 per
cent. Of the voters con Initiate a law. and
n per cent. constitutional amendment
There Is some talk of submitting an
amendment raising these percentages. but
the chances are that This will not be
done Instead. the Legislature will adopt
a law pr0h'b hitting the prnm'ecuous circu-
lation OF initiative and referendum p,t.-
lions. Last summer persons having no
interest whatever In tn" measures they
were initiating were paid as high as 10
cents "a name for signatures. Il is pro-
rosed that petitions shall be placed On
IN. hands of Justices OF the Peace oy
other public officers. and not circulated 9t
all.
Mine taxation and the states land
policy win consume much Of the time uf
the LEGISLATURE this year Roth are huru-
Ing questions In Arizona. The first stat"
Legislature adopted Two years ago law
taxing producing mines On four times
the net annual production. plus 12i9 uer
cent. Of the gross ANA the physical value
OF improvements. That law expired Jan
uarv |.
Although the constitutional amendment
maxine Arizona "a prohibition state went
into effect January /, the legislature Is
to adopt a law providing penalties Tor
violations. \ mill tax on bank deposits.
the taxing OF motor cars by weight and
various other charges ia the revenue sys-
TEN viii he proposed.
Petitions are now In circulation ash 'ng
the legislature TO call special election
FOR the resuhmisslou of tho mothers
pension act. so per cent Law. anfi-hlack-
list law and certain drastic features Of
the prohibition amendment The Legs
lature has legal authority to call such an
election provided /, PEE cent. 90 the
/ voters sign the petitions.