Arizona republican., 1917-03-08
Early Arizona Legislatures

In leisure moments we nave lateiy been peruslllB with deep interest the journals of the earlier Arizona territorial legislatures notably those of the fourth and fifth sessions. There is reflected in them a dignity which has missing of both the territorial and the legislatures
 The level of ability in the early legislatures considerably higher than it afterward was We may say than it has ever Those legislatures contained much greater proportion of of edu cation or native talent.
 The reason is not obscure one. In that creative period Arizona's hstody each community selected it's stronga and best citizens for the legislature. Party lines closely drawn. The territory so overwhelmingly democratic that there no fear of republican ascendancy, so that many republicans were seated in the legislatures that period repub- lcans were even elected delegates in congress. not because they abler popular than demo- erats because sixties and the a republican was expected to secure favors from congress and the federal administration that a demo- cratic delegate could obtain.
 That the legislative average in those days was consider that the average ability in territory higher. There comparatively few weddings in Arizona then We may admit that the average Of morality not quite high. Some citizens had come because they could not safely remain in their old haunts. They chosen Arizona as a place for turning leaves and many of them did so and lived useful and orderly lives The spirit brought many others. There were some devil-may- corners who quickly sobered by their new surroundings became substantial citizens. There fresh from college from the ranks early professional life old world university men among them.
 It from such men of adventure ability native or acquired and courage that the early law were chosen and each community realized that must choose it's best They the true arstocrats within the correct meaning of the word, "aristocrat" "the best man"
 Ard these men accepted membership in the legis- ature posts of duty and responsibility There no empty honor in them and the paltry per diem of S4 ridiculous a time when the cost of living was tremendous, when gold was among the cheapest of commodities. Long tiresome and frequently danger ous stage journys lay between the legislator and the seat of government. legislative session was not pleasant outing a period of recreation.
 The high spirits of the legislators are some times recorded in the journals. The wit was of high order quite different inanities in which the average modern member indulges The proceedings of one day in of the earlier sessions are recorded in Latn whether by chief clerk some scholarly member do know.
 We would make q comparison between the old and the legislators sweepingy invidious to  the latter for almost every legislature contains some able men. carefully chosen by constituents and with proper sense of their duties. the of such members has become sadly disproportionate. The great bulk of the membership is composed of men of medocricity men below mediocrity Some are sent in the way of joke others servants of a faction many densely ignorant and without foundation for acquired ability. Others have sought place in the legislature gratify foolish vanity. Their measure of it is exactly the opposite of that taken by really able but selfish citizens who not accept such posts because of the oboquy which the people allowed to attach to membership in the legislature.
 The people remedy all this if they will Though the old proportion of strength and ability in the citizenship of Arizona can be restored by more careful selection than has been exercised for several the higher level which distinguished the membership of the early may be again at- tained