The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-03-14
SHER|FFSWANTF FOUR YEAR TERMS; ID
 PROPOSE LAW

providing for a four-year term of of flee for the sheriff will be introduced [ in the legislature today, the bill hav- ing been drafted at a meeting of the sheriffs or their representatives from the IA counties of the state which was held in this city yesterday.
 The proposed amendment provides not only that the sheriff shall serve four years, but makes the provision that the officials now in office contin- ue their term over that period
 It is understood that the bill will be introduced simultaneously in the senate and the house and that the judiciary committee in both houses will stand behind the proposed legis- lation.
 Leading members of the legislative body. it is understood, are in favor of the measure on the ground of "effi- ciency in government. They are of the opinion that it takes fully a year for sheriff to 'learn the tricks of the trade" and that by the time he has qualified he must begin election eering for another term or step aside for a new man unfamiliar with the duties of the office. Furthermore, they declare that the sheriff works with the jul hge and the clerk of the court, both of whom are elected for a four-year-term.
 Unite on One Measure.
 While the meeting was called to r erfect a more thorough cooperation among the sheriffs of the state and to discuss many matters of vital in terest to the state welfare which could only be brought about by leg islation it was agreed to concentrate on the one amendment the sherisfs firm of the conviction that with but few days remaining it would be prac tically impossible to accomplish more
 The four-year term was proposed by Sheriff Eugene Shute of Gila county shortly after the meeting was called to order in the blue room of the Adams hotel yesterday morning. The matter was more fully gone into last evening when Senator H. A. Elliott of Greenlee county was ask, ed to be present at the session and aid in the passage of the bill. Sera- tor Elliott said he''was in thorough sympathy with the bill which would unquestionably tend toward efficien- cy in office
 Harder for Auto Thieves.
 The meeting was presided over by Sheriff William Mahoney, Of Mohave county, who was named as president of the newly organized association which will meet twlce a year. She-:f Sliute was elected secretary
 One of the matters that created live.y discussion had to dc with catching auto thieves and a system of county tags by way CT ident';ica- tion was suggested. Better police protection was also advocated and a general discussion relative 10 aDpre hending criminals featured the gath ering.
 Practically every sheriff present was in favor of making it a felony if a 5ootlegSer carr;e6 a weapon. The held that practically every bootlegger was armed from a 30-30 Colts to a Leuger and that they were ready to shoot if necessary. The sEerifs who do not already belcrg to the International Sheriffs and Po- lice Officers Associations Code sig nified their intention of becoming a member so that they might u Se the code when deemed advisable.
 A resolution which had the endorse men5 Of the association was read at ,lte close of the meeting.
 ReSOlV6Q, 1udL we, lle SileT1llS Dl the state of Arizona demand the pow CT to appoint al officers who work pat of the sherffs office as deputies as We are respols,l le under our bond for the actions of all appointecs, to be ratified by the board o: supervis- ors.
 Many Present.
 t1long the off, ers pres ont were Stoliff Mahouey, CT Mohave coTrty, Sl... if Harp Of NJ vaio colnty: Shcl- if Gre enleaf of Iumacounty: Sher- if harrington, of Coconino county Sheriff Hall, of Pinal county; Sheriff Warren Davis, of Yavapai county: Sheriff Montgomery ofMaricopa coun ty; Undersheriff Bowers of Marico- pa county: Sheriff Arthur Slaughter of Grenlee county, Undersheriff Sul- finger, of Pima county; Sheriff Jas of Cochise county: Sheriff Hamilton, of Apache county and Sheriff Shute of Gila county