The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-05-22
Why okLAHoMA's CONSTITUTION
SHOULD BE ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY

In dealing with the constitution of
my state. II is only fair to examine
critically and see II It is In keeping
with the people Of the state and when
use will bring results sought for
and will leave the power properly re-
posed in the people the true source
and support OF all free governments II
This be accomplished and all Of its
provisions are fashioned to that end,
then we have constitution that Is
indeed worthy of universal approval.
Lot us examine some OF the most I'M
portant piOvisions and those the PEG.
pie have clamored for since fair Ok.
lahoma was inhabited by liberty-lov.
Ing ambitious citizens.
First: We find the initiative and
referendum II being provision
which will enable the people to be as
sovereign. with reference to good leg
islation as the stump speaker always
tells them they are. II will enable the
common people acting in unison and
In accord to have and o. In such leg
islation as will best serve their
wants. needs adm desires. II will free
the members Of every legislative body
from the lobbie sthat act wholly and
solely To thwart the will and honest
desires of even the Legislators them.
selves. and much more is the same
true OF the masses OF the people and
their true interests. II enables the
people To remove and obliterate un'
wholesome legislation that has or may
creep idnto the statute books either
by caprice or neglect. submit II does
this. and. aye, many times more for
the Oklahoma citizenship and that Is
wisely within the constitution just ~
be submitted for approval.
Second: We find a railroad commits
sion bill. A measure that has been
the battle cry OF Oklahoma and her
citizenship tor Is years Of Oklahoma 8
existence. II is the one measure that
would be supported at any time by
~ per cent Of the voters Of this state
II they but had the chance To vote
for IT, II Is the same measure that
has been astutely avoided and turned
down by the eight Republican l"gis
latures OF the past and let painstaking
" alone by every chief executive oI
the carpet bag stripe. 1t is that one
specie of legislation that has been
sought for by every honest citizen
who was disinterestcd and only
thwarted by the railroad interests
and their many practices employed "a
accomplish these ends. This is In oul
constitution and the measure is IRE,
from holes or defects for 1t is not
left to any appointiye source but left
20 the sovereign voter 10 select honest
and upright men for the commission
and they given fun power 10 act
submit II is at length within our con
situation anl cannot but be satistac
tory in all things 10 the common peo
pie and | submit they are today. to
morrow and win forever be largely
in the majority, not only within IN,
borders Of fair Oklahoma but through
out this American commonwealth.
Third: The fellow servant law
That is one law sought for so Ions
that the memory Of man runeth hard
ly TO the contrary, that law permits
husbandess wives and fatherless chill
dren TO recover from the careless cor
porations who neglect gly conduct
their business at the expense of hu
man life; that law that permits them
10 recover such sums as may enable
them TO be educated and kept from
the pangs .of hunger, sorrow and lgno-
rance. Lo, II does this and, aye, many
times more, II permits thinly-clad chill
dren with tear-stained faces daily
awaiting almost by the side OF an
open coffin at the depot OF incoming
trains and at the brink of the coal
mines. TO be educated and made bet.
ter men and women, and, submit this
as a laudable end for the children
of today are but the men and women