The Arizona copper camp., 1916-08-04
ZOE RErreR LEelsLAruREs


We curious to learn what arguments if any
opponents if any. will urge in the printed pamphlet
against the proposed amendment the constitution
for the remodeing of our legislative system. 1t will
require greater ingenuity than we think the most
brilliant man in Arizona whoever he may be- pos
sesses to furnish convincing reason by the amend
ment should not be adopted says Prescott Journ
al Miner
There are two outstanding features of the amend
ment which cannot fail to commend themselves the
people. One is. the apportionment based the vot-
ing population, which all must agree is fair. In
general way arbitrary apportionment fixed by the
constitution had such basis, but the basis keeps
changing that the various counties, if they ever
had proportionate representation, it longer
The amendment proposes make the apportionment
flexible, to lend itself to changes in population.
The other feature is the division of the counties
assembly districts, plan which has been generally
adopted throughout the northern and northwestern
states. The plan presents distinct advantages.
Many man who stands well in his immediate neigh
borhood would go before his neighbors who
know him, when he could not be induced undertake
the expense and embarrassment of canvassing whole
county, most of whose voters strangers to him.
The other advantage would be that the house whose
members elected by districts, would be composed
Of placed there majority of the voters. who
knew them more less intimately and who trust
them.
present
extent some eastern states. who may not
have much standing in his immediate neighborhood
presents himself for nomination and election. ma
jority of the voters of his party know
and as majority know none of the other candidates
for nomination, they according the
that happen to be made upon them during the primary
campaign The primary becomes less acci-
dental proceeding and the legislative ticket up
of unknowns, frequently nobodes.
s Then comes the general election We then have
two tickets-each composed of candidates unknown
to majority of the voters, who, being unable
~ the merits of the candidates. though they would
to do so, vote the straight party ticket. The dis
plan would give higher grade of men, with
TesssAt to both honesty and ability
Another feature of the amendment is the four-year
term by which valuable time would be saved A
siderable of the of the legislature spent
in organization and great deal is spent by the
members famiarzing themselves with the affairs of
the state of which, the beginning majority
members are wholly ignorant. Many of them we have
observed preserve their ignorance intact and virginia.
throughout their terms of service. But some of them
however Dense learn something the course of a
session and would thus be more valuable at the end
of two years than at the beginning
Another feature of the amendment which will
mend itself economical the proposed fixed
salary of $4O0 per annum in lieu present per
diem of 81. That would be $500 for period CORE
members
elected Both the first and the legisla-
tures by of extraordinary sessions each cost
the state something more than $500 member.
large majority of the members of the Arizona legisa
lures never received much 81 day any other
service they have been incapable earning it, and
the efforts of many of them to continue long as
possible have been very palpable dlatory
ceedngs near the end of the regular force
extraordinary session.
The growing tendency is to get away from the per
diem system Eighteen of the states ana ad-
vanced ones, their legislators by term or
the session. OF the per diem and territories
Arizona ranks third with Alaska SIS and Montana $8
The salary annum by the term in the eighteen
states ranges from 5000 per $500 per annun
The average is in the neghborhood $400 per annun
The four-year term is coming into favor 1t already
prevails to the senate in thirty three states and
as to the lower house in three states.