The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-01-19
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TUESDAY. JANUARY 10, 1897
cuRrAIL cLERIcAL ExrENsEs.


During the past three days the lower
house OF the Fourth assembly has been
considering a measure, known as coun-
cil bill No. IL, providing for the en-
ployment OF additional clerks in the
enrolling and engrossing departm ents
Of the Legislature and on committees
without entering into argument re
garding the influences surrounding
the introduction Of such measure at
this time, THE LEApEB believes the
members of the assembly should be
cautious, prudent and watchful, aud
above all not act hastily In passing this
particular bill in its present form to
vote. In its present dress the measure
Is totally at variance with the free sill
YER platform on which the law makers
made their campaign. Useless expen-
diture of public moneys and not econ.
omy form the meat and frescoing Of
this bill. 1t Is not THE LEADERS de-
sire TO eensure. but merely TO sound a
note OF warning. The eyes Of the whole
territory are focused on the members
OF this assembly. Their words and
deeds are being commented on and
housed In the memories OF voters.
During the last campaign great
stress was laid on the vicious legisla.
tlon enacted by the Third Assembly.
Its viliianous boodling schemes and
phenomenal extravaganza formed the
subject of many speeches, and as a
result cry went up from the masses
for economy and reform. The gentle
men now composing the Fourth assem-
bly, pledged themselves to reetify the
evils OF the Third Legislature. The
present assembly has made brilliant
start to carry ont these pledges. THE
LEApER has already taken occasion to
comment upon the harmony prevail
ing In both houses, and the good re-
sultant from coalition OF the two par.
ties. One rash step may cloud bril-
liant start
Council bill No. IA should be modi.
ned--or killed. It's passage in It's pres
ent shape would place the lawmakers
in compromising position. Its pro-
visions give this assembly more
clerks than are employed in the ma
tional congress, and eight more
than were on the pay roll Of the last
unlamented assembly. Enough help
should be secured to do the work OF the
assembly efficiently and promptly, but
the scheme of flooding the engrossing
and enrolling departments with use
less clerical timber and providing a
clerk tor each committee. will not
meet with the appreciation Of the peo-
pie of the territory or accord with
their ideas and views Of economy.
There are hosts Of loyal and deserving
party workers who should be recog.
nized in the distribution OF patronage.
and where vacancies exist they should
he duly rewarded, but no attempt
should be made 10 reward party loyalty
at the expense Of the public treasury
or the good name Of the as.
semoly. The LEADER does not
aver that this is the case, but such an
impression prevails in the territory,
and the lawmakers should hasten to
correct untoward opinions Tue
LKApER entertains the highest respect
for the gentlemen fAyoring the meas.
ure in question. We believe they are
perfectly honest and sincere and earn
est in their desire TO expediate the
business Of the assembly, but they
should not overlook the fact that the
people for whom they labor are color
blind IN sentiment weigh motives 18th
feather scales, and juygle pound OF
censure with an ounce Of praise. THE
LEADER kindly offers these words OF
caution. They mean much to the
iawmakers-and more TO their con
stituents.