The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-23
FOR CURBING
GREAT EVIL
MAYOR KE WOULD
COMPEL RAILROADS TO
ISSUE PASSES
FOR STATE CONSTITUTION
Initiative and Referendum
Has Strong Advocates.

The framing of a constitution for
the state Of Oklahoma is being thor
oughly discussed in both territories,
which are 20 comprise the new state.
1t has been suggested that, this being
the twentieth century. Oklahoma
should have a better constitution and
should start out with more advanced
laws than the other states. While
this is true. the general feeling seems
to be that no novel experiments
should be tried. Conservatism, rather,
will be the watchword.
A provision controlling corpora
tions, trusts and combines will be one
Of the main propositions considered
in framing the constitution. Republi
cans. Democrats and Socialists alike
are making this demand. Among the
suggestions are provisions preventing
common carriers ana transportation
companies from holding any interest
in the commodities carried; for tax
ing inheritances: for a graduated in
come tax; for state control of the out
put of coal, and for the regulation of
the pass evil AS a remedy for the
last named, Mayor John w. Duke, OF
Guthrie, advocates law be passed
compelling railroads to Issue free
passes to every member of the judicial
bench, state officers and members of
the legislature. He maintains that
only in this manner can the pass
evil' be thwarted.
II is practically certainty that the
initiative and referendum will re-
iceive full consideration.
Control OF the liquor traffic will be
another important Issue TO decide
Congress, IN passing the statehood
bill. made it imperative that prohibi
/ tion exist in the Indian Territory part
of the state for twenty-one years
What laws will be adopted therefore
to govern the traffic in the Oklahoma
part viii be the question. There are
many who believe that the constitu
tional delegates from Indian Territory
win insist on strict prohibition foi
the entire state, IN order that no par
will have an advantage over any other
lin case this does occur, prohibition
win carry. as there will be enough
prohibtionists among the Oklahoma
delegates TO make it certain.
Leading prohibitionists are asking
that the questions OF restriction of tn,
liquor traffic be submitted separately
An exhaustive canvass has convinC
ed the friends OF prohibition that the.
may get a majority vote OF the peopl
In both territories. All they will asl
is that It be submitted and let It stan,
or fall on its merits.
The equal suffragists are campaign
ing with a view Of getting plank il
the constitution in their favor, and tn
ndlloudi oIHdIlLdlloH mas uNiNbdtCu
some Of its best known leaders 10 visi
Oklahoma and work for the enact
ment of equal suffrage, without re
gard to sex
Joseph II. Norris, United States dh
trict court clerk at Guthrie. has sul
gested that the new state be divide
into eighteen or twenty judicial dii
tric,s and he favors the election {
snopreme judges at large. It is b,
lieyed this last proposition will b
ADOPTED as win also recommend
tioa that United states senators b
chosen by the primary system.
Attorneys o1 prominence are fayo
ing the passage On fellow seryai
law The prohihltioa Of the deaf
penalty is also more or less fayore
Judge John Hinkle, of Ardmore,
advocating that the criminal law pr
vide that upon the conviction OF d
PENDANTS the penalty mare to Il
benefit Of the injured party.