El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-01
legislature Of
arizona Meets
On January 6
Is Expected To Be Much
More Conservative Than
Its Predecessors.

Phoenix. ARK, Jan. The fourth
state legislature OF Arizona convenes
January :.
The coming session IS expected to
be far more conservative in tone than
any OF the other legislative gather
ings since statehood The Republl-
cans have gained a few seats. while
a number Of radicals among the Dem
.ocratic majority viii be missed. The
governor win be Republican So il is
very. probable that few measures viii
other state legislatures their principal
fame.
To Change Primary System
The Democratic state party council
has demanded a law that will restrict
party primary elections TO party mem
hers. asserting that Republicans have
been allowed TO register as Democrats
and thus comDlicate the choice Of can
didates within the majority party. It
is believed there will be little obiec-
ton TO a law that either will abolish
the direct primary or make II strictly
partisan A strong Democratic senti-
ment faVors abolition, on the ground
that the present primary system has
served 10 allow the nomination OF
many unfit men. thus undermining the
party prestige and permitting the
election OF Republicans who had been
chosen IN caucus especially for their
qualifications Particularly IS there
complaint over the diminishing num-
Der OF leading citizens in the leglsla-
lures. compared with territorial DAYS
May Abolish Commission.
II IS probable material changes viii
commission OF public institutions. and
II IS possible the commission will be
abolished altogether as an expensive
and relatively inefficient luxury. As
originally framed by senator Roberts,
II would have had full charge Of the
educational institutions.
Campbell Demands Economy.
Gov Campbell IS expected 10 put the
question Of economy squarely mp 20
the legislature Two years ago he
urged adoption Of a budget system.
similar to the Maryland law, binding
the state boards and officials down 10
specl1ic amounts in sharp contrast
with the present allowance Of practi-
caily unlimited funds 10 any institu-
ton or office that chooses to over
draw Arizona has achieved the unen-
viable distinction Of having the most
expensive state government within
the union census report, based upon
conditions two years ago, giving the
Arizona cost, per capita at s1124
and Nevada followed, with
about SO each while North and South
Carolina showed the lowest costs.
about - Per capita IN each state It
IS believed also. that the governor
VIII demand n strict audit OF every
state office. with a report TO be made
before the end Of the legislative ses-
sion.
Want Highway Program.
rather opposed 10 retrenchment
IDEAS viii be demand upon the leg
islature by communities and associa- l
tons for the Inauguration Of a more
highway program.
with incidental bonding OF the state
and counties for millions Of dollars. /
1hese plans call for the creation OF a /
state road commission
Education IS a subject expected to I
take up much Of the time OF the ses-
sion, on the basis OF q bill prepared 7
By teachers committee that ere
ates nonpartisan board OF education {
and that seeks to abolish state and 4
county observation-disclosures as elective /
positions Il is understood that the I
and normal schools will /
ask for still more buildings. A large /
expense item practically agreed upon
already viii be the cost Of doubling /
ne size Of the capitol, at a cost Of over !
'1v0,tuu- suggestions also are being
made for the erection OF a soldiers
memorial in front OF the capitol.
There viii be an attempt to estab-
ish a state irrigation code. Cochise
county VIII demand allowance Of a I
second superior judge, such as is /
Known IN Maricopa county. There is
% be received the report Of a commit
ZEE appointed by the third legislature
o Investigate the advisability Of es-
abllshing state smelter or sampling
works and the cost thereof
Undoubtedly there will be offered
amendments 10 the state mill
tary code which may be repealed in
Is entirety, II the after war conditions
axe away federal support TO the state
'odies OF troops heretofore known as