The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-11-18
GOVERNOR c. N. HASKELL'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

had authority to fix the dats
when Oklahoma might enter the
Union; it had no authority to ms
any terms other than those of ap-
solute equality. ! have gone some
what at length into this question
ebcause of the agitation throughout
the length and breadth Of the
1 United States today touching va-
rious matters pertinent to this
question.
Constitutions.
From the beginning of free gov
ernment a charter or cOnstitu-
tion has been adopted and the con-
trolllug Influence of that govern
ment is the voice OF the people
commanding all representatives
thereafter chosen and serving the
public to obey the will Of the peo-
/ Die as expressed IN the constitu-
tion. 1t is with regret that we no
! tiee a disposition on the part of
some high in authority to look up
on the constitution OF the United
States itself even as a thing to be-
used when it meets the wish of its
executor and to be construed and
bended when at variance with his
VIII. And | say to you, my fellow
citizens, that there is no more
dangerous practice to be tolerated
in any public officer, ! care not
whether he bend it for a good pur-
pose or for bad purpose, than to
assume the right to construe the
constitution from time to time to
meet his own desires. If the con-
stitution be bended today for a
good purpose to meet the wish OF
"a righteous executive, it may be
bended tomorrow to suit the wish
Of ain evil minded one
This policy Of elastic construc-
ton of the organic law is one to
be condemned and prescribed. If1
time so changes conditions that a
state constitution does not meet
the just requirements of the peo-
pie then present that fact to the
people and let them change it by
their own will if they desire. I'LL
the constitution of the United !
States does not meet the demands
of modern times, then submit the
necessary amendments to the /
states and amend it if three-fourths
OF the states are willins to do SO
repeat that you can destroy the
principles Of a free government for
a good purpose just as quickly as
you can destroy them for an evil
purpose. Your constitution ceases
TO be the voice Of the people when (
II must yield to the whims of any
officer or set Of officers
Shall the Constitution BE Changed ? n
Then If we are right that the
provision Of the constitution of the
United States shall be respected un-
til changed by the states we are
ready to consider the propriety of h
the changes threatened by individ- n
lal construction. Shall the federal \,
government authorize the creation \
Of corporations through its powers !
md influences; shall Interstate
'ailroads be granted federal char :
ers to the extent of depriving !
states OF home control as that con- :
rol now exists? In both particu- :
ars we say emphatically no. And
We would plant our flag on the
irst protest which would be made ?
80 long as we do not elect United y
states senators by direct vote Of p
he people, that long at least q
hould The states reserve unto il
themselves the right to protect Y
heir people against the improper
Of corporate wealth I
nd the power that goes with N
7ealth. There are other reason Ii
ut this one to my mind would be "
nsurmountable so long as it ex- p
5ts h
An Illustration of the ineffi- q
iency Of federal control Of these n
uestions can best be given by a
alling attention to the practices n
ithin the area which is now Une n
ate of Oklaho L. Those anxious h,
} centralize this power to control, h,
the federal government and ad- II
ise us to trust our fortunes and l.
ur happiness to federal control =.
lust blush when they review the u
)nditiOns under which we have "
we'd for years. Our freight rates ~
e double those in the adjoining q
ates. The lumber trust, the coal w
ust and other like combinations OF
ave fattened by unrestricted rob w
Try of our people. If federal "
'ntrOl is such good thing in a ~
ate, why has it proven so utterly Gu
efficient in a territory? Let us lit
'ay for the reservation within co
e hands of the people of Okla
'nfa of the right to govern them
Ives to the fullest extent that Al,
e teaching of Washington and ~
fferson contemplated we should
i've when they created and de- "
nded the constitution of the w.
iited States Let the day never ~
me when power to protect the u
ople shall be concentrated in W.
iall aggregation or men assem- e..
ed at our far ofi national capitol Dn
lere the combined power and In ri
fence of the corporations OF the ui.
ited States can concentrate their Nol
.orts on his single governing COZ
Wer. The people may at lines arr
nmit an error, but the people in Fal
riably right their shin. trim it, GU
Is and launch forth upon sea co
Justice and equality Of their own line
ton; therefore, let us ever hn
fship the motto LET the neo- too
rule" and to let the people bar
e you must keep the govern far
ut close to the people and free GOV
-.Hs H.. g.