Nogales international., 1933-09-30
Vote NO On Four Year Terms!

The ballot at Tuesdays election will carry
constitutional amendments providing for increas
es in terms of county, state and legislative Of
ficials from two to four years
The main argument of advocates of four year
wear terms is the elimination of election costs
mighty flimsy argument.
It is necessary to have a congressional cleo
ton every two years anyway, so there is bound
to be some cost which cannot be eliminated. And
there is every probability that the cost of recall
elections during the off year will overcome any
savings.
People have been reluctant under two year
terms to encourage the use of the recall, feeling
that they would soon have an opportunity to pass
upon an officials work at a regular election But
when there is long term ahead, the recall would
be called into use more frequently, thus not only
causing additional expenses at an election but
creating the bitterness and strife which only
recall election can produce.
The last election revealed how rapidly pub
lie officers can get out Of touch with sentiment
of the people. In 1923, Herbert Hoover and John
C. Phillips were endorsed by the people of this
state by subst ential majOrities Two years later,
the philosophers of government of each were en-
trey out of step with those of the people In $780,
because of the two year term, the people were
able to take action the governorship but the
four year national term let Hoover remain at his
post thus postponing for two years the arrival of
a new deal which, if it could have occurred two
years soons would probably have hastened ma
tiOnal recovery. q
In the last two years of our state regimes,
we have seen examples of the advisability of the
people passing upon the actions Of an admins
tration at least every two years. Both Governor
Phillips and Governor Hunt were defeated at the
end of two year terms. Had the four year plan
been in operation at those time, in either case
we would have seen governor remain in office
two years after he had lost the confidence of the
electorate Of the state.
The same applies to the legislative branch Of
our government. The legislature elected in the
year of 1880 would not likely have been the pro-
per one to handle the problems of 1888 when
great changes had taken place in the opinions of
the voting populace In like manner, solons of the
present legislature may be entirely out of step
with the peoples desires in 1886
Success of the democratic form of govern
ment depends upon governing groups having the
confidence of the governed Lengthening of
terms will not produce that result
There might be logic to arguments that there
IS no need for election every two years Of Of
ficers whose duties are purely ministerial, but
these amendments include all officers so that by
increasing ministerial offices, like state treas
Irer 1t IS also necessary to increase the term of
such an office as the governorship upon which
the entire progress of the state might depend
Even regarding ministerial officers, there
are cases fortunately, it applies to only few of
our Arizona officials) where the difference in
courtesy early in their term and that displayed
before election is quite noticeable. Four year
terms would result in shrinkage of the periods
when courtesy and attention are so necessary.
The international urges it's many readers to
vote NO after Nos 101, 105, 1O7, 100 and III on
Tuesdays ballot