Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-01-20
O'NELLL RESOLUTION
PRECLPITATES WARM
DISCUSSION IN HOUSE

A discussion in which acrimony was
not entirely lacking was precipitated
in the house yesterday morning by
resolution introduced by Mrs. O'Neill
of Maricopa, as an aftermath of the
disclosure made when Mr.. Baxter OF
Maricopa the day before, introduced
an amendatory election bIll, that the
wholesale liquor dealers Of the coast
were preparing to attack the two con-
stitutional prohibition amendments.
Mrs. O'Neill stated that inasmuch as
there had been rumors almost ever
since the election. that such attacks
were made and that recently publicity
had been given by the newspapers to
the rumors, she would introduce her
resolution which provided that the
judiciary committee of the house pre-
pare a bill emhodying the matter cen
tanned the amendments and that the
bill be passed by the legislature TO
forestall the threatened attack.
Mr.. Walton offered an amendment
to the resolution, instructing the ju
dietary committee first to investigate
and determine whether there was
need of such q bill. Personally he
believed that there was not While
section 2929 of the statutes which Mr..
Baxter mad proposed to amend, appar-
entlv required that the amendments
should be printed on the ballot, the
constitution itself provided that they
might be printed by number and title
as had been done
Replying, Mr.. Baxter stated that
though The constitution in the begin
ming had authorized such a presenta
ton 20 the people of submitted meas
ures i had provided that such pre-
scriptions as might afterward be given
by statute should prevail and para
graph 2929 was such a prescription.
Mr.. Walton construed the remarks
of Mr.. Baxter to a reflection upon his
zeal in the cause of prohibition and he
stated that in 1914 he was committed
to the cause of prohibition. the only
candidate SO pledged that year. Mr.
Baxter, now he said, since prohibition
was firmly established had become All
ardent advocate. Mr. Baxter rose to
question of privilege and that
phase of the discussion was aban-
doned
Mr Walton continued quoting from
another paragraph of the election laws
stating how the ballots should be pre-
pared ard which he said, permitted
the printing of submitted measures by
title
Mr. Goodwin of Maricopa favored
the O'Neill amendment. Whether the
proposed legislation was necessary or
not. it could do no harm. 1t was a
precaution which would make prohi-
bition absolutely secure.
Mr.. Walton thought it might do
harm, the enactment of this legisla-
ton might be regarded by the su-
preme court as a legislative construc-
ton which would affect its decision
if the matter was brought before il.
He added that if the prohibition.
amendments were invalid all initiated
and referred legislation, including the
equal suffrage amendment, that had
been enacted since statehood. was in
valid, Later the Walton amendment
was adopted.
Immediately after convening there
was laid before the house two forms
of an appropriation bill that had been
presented by State Auditor Boyce.
One form provided for annual approp-
ration and the other for continuing
appropriations
The following bills were introduced:
BY Mr. Francis of Cochise amend
ing the present law relating. to free
assays by the state bureau of mines.
mixing the law more liberal.
BY. Mr. Walton of Maricopa. amend
ing the law for the establishment of
high schools. 1t provides that high
school may be created in any school
district having a school population of
$50 and an assessed valuation of
s1.500,000; or in two adjoining dis
tricts having a combined school pop
ulaticn Of 80 and combined assess
ment of S1,500,000. But territory al
ready included in a high school dis
trict could not be taken into another
district unless the valuation of the
remaining part of the district
amounts to as much as $4,000, 900
Mr. Johns introduced bill approp-
Continued on Page Five)