The Coolidge examiner., 1936-05-22
RECALL CAN BE ABUSED

1t can be understood why the Federal Govern
ment was reluctant to award statehood to Arizona
because of the recall features in its constitution when
we observe some of the uses and abuses to which
this provision is sometimes put. Intended as
means to recall public servant who may be guilty
of malfeasanCe in office, it is sometimes used as a
weapon of political retaliation threat held
the heads of officials to them to accede to the
demands of faCtiOnal interests. Fashioned, prmar-
ily for the protection of the people it is becoming
only too commonly resorted too aid in the
acquisition of spoils or to wreak vengeance.
The farmers the San Carlos project, as we'll
as the citizens in general only very casually consid
er the affairs of the a-mportant irrigation organ-
zation which has charge of the water distribution,
and has administrative duties responsible for the
welfare and protection of the interests of the white
land owners in the project This organization,
known the San Carlos Irri cation and Drainage
District, is governed by three directors chosen from
different divisions of the district. While non-re-
muneratve the office of district director is of great
Importance, since the district business involves mil
lions of dollars of investments and the entire pro-
gram of the project rests largely in the directors
hands There is much these directors can do, and
should do, for the advancement of the general pro-
ject welfare. They do little, however, if they
do not have the whole-hearted support of the farm
and citizens in general. Careful attention is
constantly needed to protect the projects rights. Out
side greedy interests are ready to make inrOads
on our water supply, Our power developments and
other resources. The irrigation directors should
devote their time to these matters. They should
be compelled to contend with disruptive forces with
in their own district. For almost year there has
been circulating in the Casa Grande division of the
district recall petition against the director elected
from that district 1t has been declared insufficient
some three or four times when personal considera-
ton was given by the board. At recent meeting,
however, the petition was declared to be efficient
and special recall election ordered to be held in the
early part of June. The charges placed on the pc
titon gave specific grounds for recall but sim
ply asserted that the official had been unfathful
and unreliable and should be recalled It is gener-
ally understood, we reliably informed that the
water service and other conditions in that division
are quite satisfactory, and that the recall petition
represents small percentage of the irrigated acre
age.
Fortunately, the projects best interests and op-
portuntles for development are too greatly at stake
to permit internal political dissention and exploita-
ton to defeat progress. The projects first signs of
decadence will be evident if such things are allowed
1t behooves every right-th;nling land owner, busi-
ness man or citizen wherever located on the project
10 take active measures to stamp out these evils
when they appear and keep the irrigation district en-
trely free from political other subversive nflu-
enceS.