The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-29
FALSE ISSUE
Continued from Page y

would advocate prohibition for the
whole state in order TO prevent the
Oklahoma side from having the ad-
vantage to its towns of the saloons
and other places at which liquors in
some form could be sold. Such po.
sition on the part of ladian Territory
politicians would bring correspond
ing Ill feeling and opposition from the
business element and politicians of the
Oklahoma side OF the state. and the |
speedy result would be disposition
on the part Of Indian Territory voters |
to scratch candidates from the Okla |
homa side and corresponding dis |
position on the part of Oklahoma terri |
tory voters. The consequences of |
such a situation would be readily APP |
parent.
II the liquor question can be dis !
posed of so as to leave our party free
to fight its battles on issues that are
properly and necessarily OF interest to
the people az large, we can certainly
win; otherwise 1t appears as certain
that we can not
! Experience has taught those who
have had an opportunity to observe
that sumptuary laws are enforcible
only in communities where the over
powering influence of public sentl
ment supports them Therefore, a
real prohibition law is one that pro-
hibits to the extent of the consent of
the people OF the various communities
The advocates OF state wide prohibit
ton are in many instances employed
attorneys for, that purpose, who have
no interest IN our party or party is
sues outside of the one hobby they
represent. Many otner leaders among
prohibition advocates are not practi-
cal politicians aud have not made
study of the many great needs of the
people dependent upon the success of
party that Is pledged to their pro-
tectioa. II Is also true that advocates
of prohibition are thoroughly organic
ed and are out-spoken in their de-
mands and are apt to give the impress
sion that they represent an enormous
following, while on the other hand the
pradent and thoughtful voter says
little on the subject, but votes in ac-
cordance with his views of the proper
regulation of the business
When the Republican party took up
the prohibition issue in Kansas Il en-
ioyed n majority of $4,000 in the state
Four years thereafter the Democrats
elected governor on an open cam
paign against prohibition, and only a
constitutional rule requiring two
thirds of the legislature to present a
proposition for amendment to the con-
stitution prevented such an amend
ment. This shows the reaction that
! folIoufu this SORT pf nntitfoe
II the constitutional convention
should adopt fair and reasonable
municipal local option law and estab-
lish prohibition absolutely i'm the
country districts, we will have ac-
complished all taat the practical pro-
hibitionist demands. Each town there
after will be small battle ground.
definite and certain in its dimensions
and resources, and contests growing
ont of the liquor question will be local
and in a very slight degree. at least
, obstruct or interfere with the devotion
OF our party TO state issues. Such
; course would not lose MS the great
vote OF .he moderate and reasonable
business man and opponent of prohi-
bition ON whatever ground. Such a
course would be Democratic and in ac-
cordance with the views of the aver
+ age intelligent citizen with reference
TO the rights Of the people TO govern
themselves. and such course also
, would be in strict accord with that
, great and rare expounder of Demo.
cratic doctrine, as to whose wisdom
and integrity we have not yet learned
10 entertain q doubt, the Honorable
William jennings Bryan, as set forth
In his letter to the constitutional CON
+ vention, which has been printed and is
! in the possession of each and every
I member and from which | urote:
! "Te doctrine of local self govern
+ ment is an essential part of free in
, stitutions. Beware OF the tendency
T, which manifests itself in SO many
! ways to remove authority from the
+ community and deposit it with some
/ remote Official The appointment of
r police boards by the governor Is an
!, instance of this On the theory that a
city is incompetent to govern itself.
a some OF the states have authorized the
q governor TO appoint police boards
I The excuse given fer II assails the
I foundation principle of our govern
= ment. but the real reason is usually a
n partisan one. IL is an axiom that
/, people can act best upon subjects
/ Which they best understand. and Il Il
e equally automatic that they under-
\ stand best that which Is closest 10
them Let the people of each com
3. munity attend TO all matters purely
/. local As the states are better Gus
4 todians than the fedenal government
r. of interests wholly within the state
"A so the people of county are the besi
n custodians OF county interests, and tbs
/. people OF a precinct the best custo
l., dians OF precinct interests