Arizona republican., 1916-08-27
Legislative Reform

We glad to observe the rising sentiment in favor of the proposed constitutional amendment for the reformation of legislative system bring it up date and encourage capable and responsible and women to become candidates for the legis lature. It cannot fail enlist the support of all thoughtful voters who may be induced to give it at It will encounter the opposition of only those who prefer chaos in public affairs who desire that the people far possible may be kept in ignorance of the character of candidates It is only by the maintenance of such system that pol- ticans can control our legislatures through their tools
 The amendment contains many excellent feat all its features excellent. But of them alone ought to it's overwhelming adoption. It is the proposition choose representatives in the house by districts instead of by whole counties Thus in the populous counties, where the districts would be small, candidates for nomination and cleo ton would depend upon the votes of their neighbors who know them. We could then be reasonably that the house would be made up of good members elected not because they belong to certain political party but because they have been chosen by n- formed electorate.
 We have observed that school trustees are usually the best men and women in the district that can be induced to take thankless and unremuneratve Of flee All the voters in the district support them op pose them for personal and for party So party lines would be aside in legislative districts where candidates would be elected for what they for what they stand and not for their parties. ,.
 We have noticed in the of long and familiar acquaintance with Arizona legislatures that the average of members who come from the small, that s the less popuous counties is higher than that of the members from the larger, more popuous counties. The small county is usually in- |, teigent, more honest and more responsible. That is
 
 in his selection. He is known throughout his small. sparsely populated county. We have in mind of course some exceptions to this rule. but the rule stands conspicuously by of such exceptions.
 Not only would the district plan make certain intelligent selection of representatives but it would invite higher class of and to become candidates for the legislature They would not hesi tate to go before their neghbors whom they know and who know them An incapable man. though he might seek office in a district, would be rejected while under the county system he would be carried through the party ticket.
 We have in mind member of the house whose candidacy in his home town regarded joke. Though he overwhelmingly defeated there by of democrats and republicans. he was elected by the rest of the county where he not known
 Another feature of the amendment which mends itself is the apportonment plan, the number of meulbers from each county depending upon the for governor at the last preceding election We have present a rigid constitutional apportionhent by which some counties unfairly, and others inadequately represented in the house.
 Altogether the amendment is deserving of the support of all who want improvement of govern ment of those who have cried against the evils of present antiquated system of rling extrava- partisan factiona politics, and frequently corruption