The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-09-26
WHO REFUSE TO ACCEPT
MANDATES OF PRO
HiBITIONISTS
PREMIUA ON TRICKSTERS
Rather Than Men Of Merit
in Constitutional Convention.
Editor Leader.

The broadest education. the utmost
integrity and the most far-reaching
experience in public affairs would not
too strongly equip a man for the vast
ly responsible duties of delegate to
the convention to form a constitution
for the state Of Oklahoma
The making of this constitution viii
be not only for The safety and durabin-
ty Of Tie commonwealth itself. btt it
sho1ld serve as a model fir the older
states. one mistake in the constitu-
tion might be vital blow to its
strength, and produce evils that
quarter Of century Of endeayor could
not overcome Once made. the con
stituucn should be sacred, its pro
visicns not to be trined with by sub
iecting them to frequent amendment.
Naturally, the qualifications Of tho
men who shall frame the constitution
are of the first consideration. A can
didate for constitutional delegase
should not be a man Of one idea nor
if a man cf many parts should
his usefulness be sacrificed by defeat
ing his election because he refuses to
obey the demands of any person or Of
any organization
It is here that the injustice and un'
fairness of prohibition advocates
grows plainest The latter have de-
clared by resolution in their state or
ganizaticn that all candidates who do
not promise to work for the direct in
sertion of a prohibition plank in the
constitution shall be blacllisted and
their nomination and election he
feated.
The Democrats of Oklahoma doubt
less woald be pleared to have a man
with the gifts OF William j Bryan in
the constitutional convention, and the
Republicans of Oklahoma would be no
less pleased if they could be repre-
sented by the equal of Theodore
Roosevelt Yet it is possible that
both Mir Bryan ana President Roose-
welt might be opposed from principle
to constitutional prohibition or prefer
other ways to control the liquor traffic
in thu state
What would happen to such men if
they were subjected TO the demands Of
the prohibitionists?
Though each possessed all Of one
hundred qualifications essential to
their alb olute fitness as constitutional
delegates. and they shculd refuse to
pledge themselves to constitutional
prohibition, they would be fought and
possibly defeated by the prohibition
lists for this refusal. In other words,
the men who could best serve all the
people must yield to the demands of
"a certain organization And the lat
ter might be only balance of power
in voting, instead of majority or
strong minority.
Now observe another phase of the
question Ambition to sit in the con-
st'tuuonal convention moves weak, in
efficient men, and political pirates
and tricksters as forcefully as it does
men of laudable character and ac-
knowledged ability incompetent and
ignorant delegates would be a. dan
geroUs to the making of the constitu-
tion as would boodlers and corruption
lists IL is not unreasonable nor be
yond experience in Oklahoma and
other states to assert that the weak
men would gladly and willingly accede
TO such demands a. are proposed by
the prohibitionists 10 set votes for
their election And their election
would be a misfortune TO the state for
years "a come.
The views expressed here are held
by hundreds Of persons in sympathy
with the cause of temperance They
believe they are giving higher ser
vice to the future state In maintain
ing this position than are the adyo'