The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-11-03
0 0 Q 90 O @ O @ 0 o 0 o 0 Q Q
G COMMUNICATIONS. Q
O o
0 Q 0 0 0 o @ O 0 o 0 Q 0 Q O Q


The Constitution and Special Issues.
Editor Leaders On November 9Th
the voters Of Oklahoma and Indian
Territory win elect their representa-
tives to make constitution for the
new state. Upon the making Of this
consultation will depend the strength
end vigor OF the commonwealth II
the machinery Of the constitution in
any part be made Of weak material.
If there should be unnecessary wheels,
cumbersome and easily out Of repair,
and endangering the operation Of the
necessary mechanism, there will be
cnflsion and complaint for years
Unlike statutory laws, the constltu-
tion can not be changed or repaired
in few days TO reach the source
of trouble the machine must be run
into the repair shop, taken apart
wheel by wheel and bolt BY bolt and
at great cost to the state, for a con-
stitutional election is an expensive
luxury
Naturally. citizens Of the two terri
tories desirous Of getting for Ohlaho-
MA The best constitution in the Union
are hopeful that no mistake viii be
uade They are urging that the ut
most care be taken IN the choosing cf
material, and that first Of all there
shall be strong framework Orna-
ments and problematical innovations
shoald be Stunned The foundation
timbers should have the seasoning Of
the ages. with constitution rightly
and powerfully built. the people could
proceed with leisure and deliberation
in the consideration Of those debat
able accessories which some persons
insist must be made a part OF the
original structure.
In other words, the constitution
Should contain only organic law; it is
not a place for legislative matters,
which SHIFT and change as the times
and the people change Organic law
never changes. The legislative de-
partment of state was created for
the sole purpose of doing what the
constitution should not and could not
de-
The constitution may be compared
to a steam engine, and the legislature
to the various belts, wheels and pull
leys used in arflying and using the
engines r. n If the engine be
wrong in >onstrrction, no change
in the belts, can remedy the de
feet; If only lne belts, pulleys or
wheels be wrong. and the engine
right. the machinery can easily be
set running smoothly
Because of these things the people
of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
have not permitted themselves to be
misled by advocates of special issues.
They know that without the guaran-
tee Of freedom Of religious worship.
and the taxation OF all property on
equal basis. etc, the constitution
w1uld be a farce But they know
with equal certainty that the rights
OF the citizens would not be destroy
ed by omission from the constitution
OF the special system OF voting or Of
leyylng taxes.
Unwinlngness Of the people 70
listen to tho experlmentalists has re-
suited in the failure of radical pro-
hihitionists to pledge a majority Of
the nominees OF delegates to making
prohibition an integral part Of the
onstttion. The people believe that
as makeshift for controlling the
liquor traffic, prohibition should have
no place In the constitution without a
fair unhampered vote. They realize
that the radical prohibltionisis have
baen attempting TO play a holdup
game by forcing the alternative OF
making every man vote for integral
prohibition. or, in opposing it for
some other plan that may be just as
good, vote against statehood.
Those persons who demand that the
success or failure of statehood shall
be bound inseperably with the ques
ten Of prohibition are disloyal to the
oormonest demands Of good citizen
ship. BY their conduct they opposed
tree vote In free country The,
would be just as culpable If the Issue
we're not prohibition, but some othel
whose control belongs properly TO th'
legislature. and not the constitution
, The people OF Oklahoma and ndim
Territory greatly desiie some wa
esccessfdly to regulate the liquo
manic. brt they purpose Guiding it II
a manner that viii not deprive am,
voter. however humble he may be- O
his constitutional rights
. T., p, MArToN.