Bisbee daily review., 1916-07-28
PHONE NO. 39.
Friday Morning, July 28, 1916.
FOR BETTER LEGISLATURE

FOR BETTER LEGISLATURE
 We are curious to learn what arguments, if any op ponents if any urge the printed pamphlet against the proposed the constitution for the re- modelling of our legislative system, It will require great sr ingenuity than think the most brilliant man 'n Arizona whoever may be- possesses to furnish con vincing reason why amendment should not be adopt ed.
 There are two outstanding features of the amend ment which cannot fail to commend themselves t> the people One the apportionment based on the voting population which all agree is fair In general way the arbitrary apporionment fixed by the constitution had such basis but the keeps changing that the various counties if they had proportionae rep resentation have it longer The amendment proposes to make the apportionment flexible, to lend itself to changes in population
 The other feature is the division of the counties into assembly districts plan which has been generally adonted throughout the northern and northwestern states The plan presents distinct advantages It invites higher class of candidates the house of rep resentatives Many who stands well in his imme- diate neghborhood would consent go before his neigh bors who know him. he could not be induced to un derake the expense and embarrassment of canvassng whole county most of whose strangers to him
 
 members are elected by districts would be composed of men placed there by majority of the voters, who know them more or less intimately and who trust them
 Under our present system in counties as large in extent as some eastern who may not have much standing in his immediate neighborhood presents himself for nomination and election majority of the voters of his party do not know him and as malor iy know none of other candidates for nomination. they vote according the impressions that happen to be made upon them during the primary campaign. The primary becomes less accidental proceeding and the legislative ticket made of unknowns-1re quently melodies.
 Then comes the general election. We then have two tckets-each composed candidates unknown to ma jority of the voters who, being unable to vote on the merits of the candidates though they would like to do so vote the straight party ticket The district plan would give US higher grade of with respect to both honesty and ability.
 Another faeture of the amendment is the four year term by which valuable time would be saved consid' rabe part of the session the legislature is spent in organization great deal is spent by the mem bers amliarizing themselves with the affairs of the state of which at beginning majority of them, we have observed preserve their ignorance untact and vr gna throughout their terms of service But some Of them however dense learn something in the course of session and thus valuable at the end of two years than at the beginning
 Another feature of the amendment which will com mend itself as an economical is the proposed fixed salary per in lieu of the present per diem of ST. That would be $500 period corresponding to the biennium which members elected. Both the first the scenod state legislatures by means o extraordinary sessions each cost the state something more than $500 a member large majority of the mem bes of the Arizona legislatures received as much as $7 day any other service; they have been incap able Of earning it. and the efforts of many of them tC continue as long as possible have been paipab in their datory proceedings the end of the regula session to force an extraordinary session.
 The growing tendency is to get away from the pe diem system Eighteen of the states, and the more ad yanced ones pay legislators by the term or th session Of the per diem staes-and territories Arizon ranks third with Alaska sl5 Montana $S The sal ary per annum or by the term in the eighteen state ranges from s2OO per $500 per annum The av craze is in the neighborhood of S4OO annum. Tn