The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-01-15

/ ~fFtff~f OfNfe-ff 9NtAAt A's ~ hAN
meeting held here Friday night in
honor OF Governor Ferguson, the gov
ernor made the following address:
There is no question OF more i'm.
portance today to the American public
than the subject of politics and gov
ernment, nor is there one which is
receiving more attention by the peo-
pie Those who believe that all for
Iner conditions in politics will con-
tinue have not rightly read and an
alyzed the signs OF the times The
politician who desires to use a pollti-
cal party for his personal promotion Is
ever ready to cry out against any
move in favor OF elinruating the baser
elements from the political arena, and
invariably appeals to party loyalty in
his persistent efforts to preserve the
ancient order of things, so that he
may be able to usurp the privileges
and rights Of the many to promote the
selfish and misguided ambition Of him
self and few kindred spirits. Too
often and too long has 1t been true
that the reins of government have
been placed in the hands of certain
politicians over the country, and those
politicians, with power delegated by
the voters, have abused public conf
dence, trampled upon party loyalty,
corrupted public service, and by vari-
GUS disgraceful acts have been sad
commentary upon a government of
and by the people. Where does the
responsibility rest? Largely with the
! 1yoter It is true that the confidence
of the voter lis abused by the politi-
clan. But 1t is too ofen true that
the voter, after having his confidence
abused turns around and allows that
confidence to be again abused by the
same man or class of men.
This is a feature in politics and gov
ernment which should be given very
careful consideration Every citizen
should know all that can be known
about the one who aspires to a pub
lie position. He should try to ascer
tain whether or not the aspirant fol
public honors is honest, capable, and
qualified in every way to serve the
public. The people have right t.
know the character of the men who
represent them in any branch of The
public service They should know
They owe it to themselves. They owe
It to society and state. The people
are honest in their desire for cleai
politics, and in sometimes allowing
i, evil to prevail in public service thei
Sins are sins of omission-but sin
just the same, for we are responsible
for evils which we could prevent bu
do not. When we as people knoN
: that a wrong exists and make no ei
! fort to right il, We become responsible
for we refuse to remedy an evil whe
The power to do so is within our grasI
d Again, as adherents of the various pC
s litical parties we hesitate to do ou
duty for fear of hurting the party
4 TO which we belong. That is mistake
IS party loyalty. If wrong is commi
: ted in public affairs by represents
4 tive OF any political party, 1t Is NOR
an act OF dsloyalty TO the party
!; condone and defend It than 1t is {
= expose and punish It. He who serve
/. party best is the citizen who tries
s keep II pure. This rule Is universi
in its application. We can not 81
q away from the truth that good go
a ernment makes the best pol ties, an
e that good government is opiy possibl
d when We have good men TO admin
N ter IT, Good government Is never po
ie sible when the political conditions al
not good.
Agsin, it is logical proposiuo
n that government will never be bett,
y than the political conditions froi
7 which that government emanates. n
"a difference how high may be the idea
r. Of the people, nor no wearnest the
= desire for good government II they a
Il low unscrupulous politicians 10 col
= troll public affairs. the kind Of publ
l. service the people want and shoul
n