The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-29

people, for the people was to be the
shibboleth for the new state.
The result was the democrats won
by large majority in the constitution
al convention.
1t is not an idle statement to say
that the proceedings of Oklahoma's
constitutional convention were marked
with a determination on the part of
its members to prepare a constitution
that would insure to the people of the
new state practical control, for all
time. over their public affairs and their
public servants.
1t is no idle statement to say that
never in the history of deliberative
assemblies has any body CT men beer
accorded more! general recognition for
patriotic effort than was given by
men Of all parties to Oklahoma's con-
stitutional Convention.
IN ell the proceedings of that great
gathering there was 10 breath of scan
dal. No one complained that the
members of the convention were look
ing out for special interests No one
suggested that their work left loop
holes for corporations. 1t was said
that the constitution was too long but
some who made that complaint meant
that it was too explicit in its efforts
to safeguard the public interests.
When the attorney general for the
United States pointed out what he
conceived to be certain defects the
co2stitutional-eo made cor
rection accordingly.
1t is not strange, then, that it was
with some degree of confidence that
the men who wrote this constitution
submitted their work for the approval
of their fellow citizens. With signifi-
cant emphasis the people OF the new
state have approved that work and
they Gid it in the face of the implied
threat that approval of the constitu-
ton and democratic victory meant
rejection of the constitution by pres
ident elected as a republican.
The strong personality of Mr.. Roose.
welt figured conspicuously in the Ok
lahoma campaign. Every federal Of
ticehOlder in the two territories was
| fighting hard for republican victory:
| and not only was the great prestige
of national administration employed
at every point, but the administration
was represented in a particularly
clear way by the personal participa-
| ton of the heir apparent to Mr. Roose-
veit's party robe. And when Mr.. Taft
| bluntly advised the Oklahomans to
! vote against the democratic constitu>
tion his advice was freely interpreted
as a reminder that the republican ma
tional administration had the power
to unmake the constitution
But these influences were of no
! avail. Oklahoma end Indian Terri
tory, ambitious for statehood, wanted
to insure for the new commonwealth
popular government in its best sense.
To this end they entrusted the worn
Of making constitution to the demo-
cratic party and the democratic party
proved itself faithful to the trust
The fidelity shown by the democrat
ic constitutional convention and the
purpose displayed by the democratic
candidates for office. have been recog.
niZed and rewarded by victory so
complete that it must give encourage
meut to all men who participate in
politics in the hope of deriving from
government T'the greatest good to the
greatest number
Mr.. Bryan's delight is felt as well
by the friends of good government
everywhere and particularly when
they realize the effect that the Okla
homa victory is likely to produce on
the coming state and national cleo
lions.