The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-05

sistently urged by his opponents as
disqualification for the Office. He is
the owner Of less than one-fourtecnth
part OF the stock of the bank The
great majority OF loans have been
made TO the farmers and laboring
people, and ninety-nine per cent of
those are supporting Mr.. Cruce in
his race. In defense of Mr.. Cruce,
the farmers Of his comfy voluntarily
published statement commencing
him TO the voters of the statc. and vet
ting forth that fact that his dealings
with them were honorable, upright
and fair.
He has at all times stood for the
advancement of mankind. and been
public spirited man. When elected
as member OF the city council of
Ardmore IN 1899, he found the city
with0t free schools. and he wrote
and introduce an 0rlinHce which
was passed. creating a free school
system in that city.
When the question OF statehood
arose he devoted his time aud means
70 the cause making a str ny aad per
sistcnt fight.
After the enabling act was passed,
he Immediately urged the necessity
OF the democrats electing the major.
ity of the delegates to write hat in
strument, and acting upon tnat
thought, he took the stump advocat.
ing the election Of democratic mem
bcrs and contributed literally 10
the committee OF hts means.
His Democracy cannot be ques-
toned and In the early stages Of the
campaign of 1896 he was an ardent
supporter of Mr.. Bryan and stated al
that time that william Jennings
Bryan Is the greatest man this coan.
try has prodlced since Abraham Lin
coin" He has never changed his
misd since. and today is an ardent
advocate OF the nomination of Mr.
Bryan in 1908.
He las never been associated with
railroads, trusts or the Standard Oil
an1 his stand upon these questions
can be better shown by quoting his
plaiform:
Rigid laws should be passed and
enforced which will prevent agree,
ments and combinations OF mdiyidu
ais or corporations, having for their
aim the suppression OF legitimate com.
petition Nothing more dangerous
or threatening TO the perpehlity of
our republic has happened than the
recent trend toward the oblteration
of the individual business affairs.
In the mad rush 10 the accumulation
OF immense sums of gold, the small
business man is crgshed with heart
less recklosness that Is appalling
This should not he permitted no
me. the man, be he ever so humble
aud obscure, is infinitely more i'm.
poriant than all the wealth OF a
Rockefeller"
He puts the success Of the Demo
cratic party IN the new state ahead
OF MS ambition 10 be governor, and
will allow no act OF his to disrupt
the party He has permitted show
er OF criticism 10 be heaped upon him
by his opponents because he deemed
n unwise 20 enter into joint debates
over the state His course Is that OF
wisdom and party loyalty The lines
are already tightly drawn In this con
test. and joint debate might siagt |
such bitter dissensions among the
followers Of each candidate as 10 DO
the democratic party a large irrepa
rahle injury Mr. Cruces action Is
not without a precedent No Demo- |
rrat ever thorgbt Rob Taylor was
coward because he did not meet Sen.
afor Caraack In debate Name a
Renyhican speaker that Lee Crpce |
viii not meet upon the strmp before
you call him a coward The Demo !
ocrats Of Oklahoma will be guided |
by reason and hrdgment and NOS by
passion. and viii give lee Cruce an |
Overwhelming majority