The Coconino sun., 1927-08-05
MORE ELEMosINARY LAWS NEEDED?

A law may law dormant on the statute DOCKS
for many years before the people realize from
concrete evidence what menace it can be made
to their well being.
The referendum measure which has been held
up as savior of the peoples rights recently came
into the limelight and demonstrated on what a
slender thread people will base their hopes.
Five per cent Of the people-think Of only
five per cent of the people, can balk all the legls-
lation of a legislature elected by the people.
And one-half of one per cent of the taxes paid,
expended by the vaunted predatory Wall Street
interests" or otherwise, can hold up Legislation
passed, by merely paying four or five cents per
name for getting signatures. With sufficient
money signatures may be secured for a referen-
dunn on any old law ever invented.
Our "God given constitution was proclaimed
as the great poor mans document 1t was to
protect his rights from initiative to referendum
and recall"
Now while we are absolutely and unalterably
against Wall Street, whenever or wherever it may
be located also have fendish desire to see
predatory wealth segregated and diminished
limb from hip, it may be very modestly pointed
out that the financial gargoyes of this state, held
up as horrible example, have not once attempted
to spend few cents name to block Legislation
against their nefarious enterprises Strange as
it may seem it remained for few John Does, who
were backing the political game, to assess them
selves for sufficient funds to perpetuate their
political snaps-at least, they hoped it would.
AS a rule it is the salary hound who wants a
fat job with little to do but create more taxes to
keep him in luxury and life of ease, that advo-
Gates this kind of laws.
Few people realize that under our system a law
voted by the people can not be changed or amended
by the legislature. 1t must be changed by vote
of the people. Under old conditions the people
elected representatives who were responsible to
the people for all the laws they made. Under ex-
listing conditions the people have unWlttlngly
taken over most of the responsibilities OF the
members of the legislature. We the American
people, are an odd family. We demand 1907 eff
fciency from our laws and Officials, obey the laws
we, make 200, complain bitterly 5000 and vote
about 40ao.
Ten per cent, of which about 90 are office
holders, tell the 909d how to run the country to
suit their convenience. The 800 complaint oh,
so bitterly, because things are not run right.
When 90&d of the public is complaining most
bitterly, the 1919 political control knows their
dope is working fine for if ever even 500 OF the
people get to thinking the state country is get
ting along fine they will refuse to pay more taxes
to have more things regulated 1t may be that we
are too far advanced in our representations OF
conditions and it may become necessary In the
final ANALYSIS to create salaries and offices for
each person over-well, whatever age person has
his annuity is insufficient without
working during his leisure hours.
Yes, indeed we believe that the next time a
rough old lump like this earth is invented the per-
son scheduled to- occupy it should have the prlv-
lege of referendum
Think of it! Sent here naked and bare, help
less and with parents not of your own selection
and whom in many instances are impossible to get
along with.