Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1906-04-21

firing in their efforts to enkindle into
fame the passions of the people over
prohibition for the sole purpose of OBJ
securing appropriate, and all import
ant, issues. ! will not be drawn from
my purpose to discuss questions now
pressing for attention.
Issues and Policies.
believe in a public policy and in a
System of laws that will amply facil-
itate business progress and promote
IA wholesome development of our re-
sources. Our agricultural and COM
mercial interests. our mineral and
manufacturing possibilities. our live
stock interests and other and varied
industrial enterprises should be given
ample opportunities for legitimate
progress and prosperity. NepOtism
should be effectually prohibited by
law. The freedom Of the press should
be maintained that the truth may al
ways be published without risk.
The unfortunate insane now suffer
ling in county jails should be provided
for by additions to the asylums. and
/ provision should be made in advance
so that this inhumane spectacle will
never again be Witnessed in Texas.
The people want a blanket primary
election law; it is right and they
should have it, In the freedom and
purity of the ballot lies the hope of
4 good government and every safe
guard that gives greater security to
1 the elective franchise and limits the
opportunities of the political manip-
ulator should meet with universal
support. The machine" must sur
render to the people They mean
business in Texas and if | mistake
not they will enforce reforms that will
Rebound to the good of Texas and
Furnish an example to the entire coun-
TRY. The ballot of a patriot though
falling as gently as the snow fake
from the heavens carries consterna-
lion into the ranks of the enemies of
Honest government and it's force and
Integrity should be guarded and pro-
tected
The Texas National Guard, the
States Militia" should be suitably
maintained and provision therefor
should be made in all respects in
keeping with public interest and the
dignity of the State.
Uphold the Constitution.
Life. liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness are the inalienable rights of
man for the preservation and prOtec-
ton of which constitutional govern
ment was wrung from tyranny and
Established in Texas.
Our constitution is the foundation
upon which our governmental struc
ture stands. and IN the faithful ObsCrv.
ance OF its terms rests the liberty Of
the citizen and the blessings of pop
ular government. Trample upon It's
mandates and free government will
soon become a Renaissance. So
that its terms may remain inviOlate
every man who takes office in Texas
swears that he will support the con-
hStilution. II ] am honOred by election
ice of-ef0vernOr the eonstitu-
5h~M be observed and obeyed. IL
you want a Governor who will shut
his eyes to violation of the constitu-
ton either by public officers or or
ganized plunderers, then don't vote
for me. No legislative scheme of
doubtful propriety or about which
hangs even a doubt of its constitu-
tionality will ever be fastened upon
the people either by my approval or
by my silence.
Enforce the Laws.
Obedience to the constitution and
laws is the first element OF good cit
izenship. A rigid enforcement of all
the laws is essential to the social we'll
being and demanded as the only safe
guarantee of life, liberty and prosper
ity All laws can be enforced and
should be enforced fearlessly, Impair
TALLY and without respect to persons.
The high and the low, the trust mag
nate and the crap shooter should all
come under the law and answer for
their crimes. All officers charged |
with the enforcement of the law
should be selected with view to |
their especial fitness for such posi- |
lions and then they should be held /
to strict accountability for the man |
ner in which their duties are per |
formed. To say that the laws cannot |
be enforced is to admit that we are |
not capable of self government. II |
law is wholesome enforce Il in the /
Interest of society. II a law is I'M /
wholesome and oppressive then en- /
force IL and Il will be. as Il should |
be. the more speedily repealed That ]
our law-abiding citizenship is growing .
Impatient and restless at the laws de-
lays and the uncertainty of punish.
ment for crime cannot be denied.
That there is just ground for such .
discomfort must be conceded There
Is too much machinery in our criminal
trials. too much literature and too
many refinements i'm the courts
charge To the jury. and too many
loopholes through which criminals
may escape. Too many corners
around which he may dodge and de-
feat the law Especially is this true
of trials of murder cases. To illus
trate. a life has been taken. the slayer
Is indicted by the grand jury. his case
is called for trial. every good citizen
who is exempt from jury service
under the multitude of exemptions.
claims his exemption and those hay
ing excuses which address them
selves to the courts discretion are all
usually excused. and then a jury is
"mpanelled in the usual way TO try
he case. The witnesses are called
and the introduction Of testimony be-
sins. In what are known as bad
'ases witnesses whose testimony
could be heard in twenty minutes are
sometimes kept upon the witness