The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-12-18
d W. J. BRYAN.
Lincoln, Neb., Dec. II, 1000.
Convention Of Oklahoma:

rotae Members Constitutional Convention Of Oklahoma:
Gentlemen
Alter eprng my grateful appreciation Of the honor you do
me ia inviting me to you and my that circumstances
Sreven , acceptance beg submit suggestions in writing in
eu Of which would take pleasure in submitting orally il could
|be present
The task which The citizens Oklahoma Save by their generous
confidence imposed upon very honorable web very
mpoant The organic law Of the state is more permanent than
and therefore should be exercised N ram
ing You have however the advantage OF the experience Of oer
states profit by the wisdom and the mistakes OF those VINO
have prepared constitutions II will be own fault you
do not frame the best constitution written The final draft of the
document which prepare will not be the work of one or of few
men but will rather be composite production and reflect those ideas
which you hold Trusting that you will accept my ug
gesons in the spirit which they are offered and adopt only sueh as
omend themselves your good Judgment venture TO speak to you
freely
Your bill Of rights ought each individual freedom
conscience may worship God his way freedom OF
speech press that he may communicate his thoughts to
Others and share moulding Of public opinion responsible only
70 those whom. may njure by the utterng of asehood freedom OF
assembly debate security his and property and oppor
hmity to obtain redress for injuries by speedy trial
The jury should permitted equity well as in cases
at law il either party desires jury and the law should not require
unanirg1 1us verdict in civil cases.
oud prefer verdict by thirds but argument may made
Ii favor verdict by majority by three-ourt In civil cases
e verdict follows weight testimony and there reason
why be continued until side the other can con-
vince twelve men hung jury and is generally hung by one
the popular against the system and
those strongly in the value of the jury should be the
free from every just criticism When question
rendered by majority and there no reason why womds OF jury
should be permitted to render verdict in civil suits
While jury should be composed Of persons entirely dnees
should be excluded from service case merely because
details OF crime published in the newspapers
The impression made newspaper account while may be the
basis OF oand opinion not the basis Of such conviction as
pught from the jury # man is himself witness
of he knows the parties intimately enough to be biased either way ne
absolute mpaial required but
there injustice being done by twelve who are too
ignorant read the papers than by jury 10 have read ne~'-
peyIlQp
The OF the jury should be hedged about by restrictions
which will exclude the professional juror and make u service the
duty Of all While there be special reasons for excluding one
service should be excused merely because he can spend
his time more pro6tably in business.
Your Judges should be elected by the people rather than appoint
cd and It would be well your provide that the
sed any contempt proceedings shall demand be allowed
ury when the alleged contempt committed outside of the court
oon TINS point the controversy what is
government by Injunction When the contempt is COM
med in the presence Of the court the judge be trusted to i'm
pose his action Of being subject te review But when
the alleged contempt committed elsewhere and must be proven the
accad should be given the protection of trial by jury.
The doctrine of local self government essential part OF free
institutions Of the tendency which mane itself many
ways authority from the community and deposit Will
some official The appointment Of police boards by the gov
esnor instance Of this On the theory that city incompetent
govern itself Of the have authorized the governor to ap
point police boards The given for aas the Foundation
principle government but the real issuay pazal
people best upon subjects wnc
the best understand and it equally automatic that they understand
bs that which closest them Let the people Of each ccmnunit
the federal government OF interests wholly within the state
people Of county the pest custdans Of county interests AM
e people precinct best cuodans of precinct interests
pay be well for you pat constitutional limit to the lengt
which bonds issued The present generation shoul
Be permitted burden future generations with debt incurred ia
ule benefit OF those living
10 fSug the mit Of public indebtedness distinction should
drawn Indebtedness incurred for improvement that yield
and for that incurred for Improvement that returns
income re illustrate pavement IS public mproyeme
arh though benefit does not bring money return while
water pant usually of profit city higher limit
Indebtedness may safely be allowed when the money eNpegd
Investment only furnishes something which the pccpe
tt eds sufficient pay interest and retire the bonds