The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-10-20
POINTS
On STATE.
QUESTIONS


Editor Leader-lLst about twentw-
Two months ago. now. remember
very distinctly that we were anxiousy
asking each other. DO you think
they are going to include the Initiative
aud Referendum" tin our constitu
tlOn).
II was included Why? Because
the farmers and laborers of Oklahoma
demanded H. During those days Of
doubt my argument was narrowed
to one line. That was. DO you want
the constitution adoptcd2 II 50, put II
in"
The strongest argument made
against these provisions was: The
people viii not take general interest
ia qnestiOns that come up. and the
esult will not. with any certainty.
reflect the real sentiment and wishes
OF the people"
1t Is an indlsputabc fact that fun
and careful consideration must be Civ
en- 20 any subject of importance. II a
just and Intelligent decision is to be
arrived at
Ii is largely upon a general and in
tellgent use of The Initiative and Re-
ferendum provisions that we must re-
" for permanent good government In
Oklahoma. II is "up to us boys. Are
we going to make good? Four ques-
tions have been submitted 10 MS by
the legislature, and they are ques-
tlons of no small importance.
One bill has been Initiated" by
petition of the voters.
This is one of the biggest questions
that is. or will be. before the people
OF Oklahoma for settlement II has
to do with many million dollars worth
of state property, and with the homes
OF many thousands of her citizens.
The voter who goes TO The polls
and votes for the candidates and does
not vote upon these questions. has per.
formed only part OF his duty-and
that the smaller part.
The general and intelligent use of
Initiative and Referendum powers IS
of vastly more importance TO the peo-
pie of Oklahoma than is the question
OF who holds any particular office. The
voters Of each precinct should meet
one night for the general discussion
/ among themselves of each one of
these questions.
Ii political "spieler' drops in, tell
him you have more important business
now than listening TO him.
Let every farmer Cihey are the ones
am talking to) vote on these ques-
tions.
| The state has more 10 expect from
| the interested voter. who votes, even
though his judgment may be bad, or
his information at fault and he votes
wrong. than IL has from the main Ht-
ent voter, who passes It up 10 the
other fellow
4 / was just now talking tn n very in
telligcnt man who said II never take
much interest in politics mill they get
my bristles up, then there Is something
doing" That is sorry specimen at
| cititzenship When be gets his "bris-
ties up" II will most likely be over
some personal matter, and not upon
some question of public policy, or
some question 0f principle where the
rights of the people are az Issue.
Whenever You walk ont Of your
pollig place without having expressed
| upon the BALLOT your judgment, and
/ vour wishes upon each of the five
questions upon The ballot. You have
embarrassed your representatives, and
weakened the power and n..nencc OF
| those who are endeavOring TO protect
and promote your best interest.
when every voter accepts and per
forms the full duties of citizenship,
then. and not till then can It be truly
said that THE PEOPLE DO RULE.
Just one thing more: Don't try to
"shirk" your duty, and excuse your
self by saying. Il don't understand
this very well. | win just leave II for
those who have studied II more,
When you fail 10 vote you have voted
No All OF these questions (saye one
mus; be approved by a majority OF all
votes cast. II you think NO, vote NO;
but never let it be said that any ques'
ton failed on account of the indines
ence of the careless voters.
/ CAMPBELL RUSSELL.