The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-10-02
HOME RULE AND SUNDAY CLOSING.


In order that I may not be subject to
the criticism OF asking questions while
answering none. / wish to deal briefly
With some OF the propositions that were
discussed by Mr.. Cowherd in his opening
apeech at Sedalia. Mr.. Cowherd charged
IN that Speech that the home rule plank
In the Republican platform was put there
10 counteract the declaration in favor Of
the enforcement Of the l1ws regulating
dramshops. and he calls upon me $50 re-
pudiate the home rule plank. or admit TO
the people that l do not propose to en-
force the law as TO the closing OF saloons
on Sunday"
In answer 10 this challenge. inform
Mr.. Cowherd that will not repudiate the
principle of home rule for which my party
has consistently stood for the last sixteen
years, and that l will not ~repudiate the
principle OF the enforcement OF the law
for which it has consistently stood since
its birth. The Republican platform de-
ciares in favor OF enforcing all laws regu-
lating dramshops. including the closing Of
saloons on Sunday. And IL I am elected
Governor | will make this plank Of the
platform mean exactly what IL says.
But let us see what is the real signih-
canoe OF Mr.. Cowherd's statement. He
charges. In effect. that the people Of the
cities OF the State would. If permitted to
elect their own police and excise officials.
choose those who would violate their oath
OF office by not enforcing the laws Of the
state; 1 deny the truth of this statement.
hA1 IN III Xix HdTue III
the people OF those cities. What right has
any one man. and particularly Mr.. Cow
nerd, to claim that he can better select
the %oficials to enforce the laws in the
great cities than can the people them
selvesg What capacity has he shown for
selecting honest and capable men for Of
nee that should cause him to arrogate to
himself this important power and priv
llege! His record as Mayor Of Kansas
City, the only executive ONCE he has ever
heid. certainly does not warrant such an
For, as Mayor OF Kansas
CITY. he appointed a North End saloon
Keeper. the Republican boss OF the Sec
ond Ward. as Superintendent OF Streets.
one OF the most important positions in
the city government. And a few month";
aIeer the expiration OF MIR. Cowherd's term
Si once. ne was called upon to defend hts
superintendent OF Streets upon the charge
OF paiiot box stufing. And a number az
other appointees in Mr.. Cowherd's admin
isustion participated In the election
that time, which have never been equailed
In the history OF election crimes In THIS
state OF Missouri. With such a record In
the selection OF public officials. Is IL NOT
a ntue presumptuous In MIR. cowherd to
claim that he can better select the police
and election boards. for the people OF the
great cities Of the State than can the peo-
pie or those cities themselves? But let us
eSamine The Democratic record upon this
question OF home rule. and see what IL
oiscioses But four years ago the Demo-
cratic platform declared:
We favor the right of the people Of
each locality to select their own onicials.ss
And Governor Folk. In his inaugural ad-
dress. unduaiihediy endorsed that principle
when he said: " "
II believe that the people can be trusted
70 govern themselves and that II the large
elites are given the privilege Of Selecting
their own officials, the people there VIII
give attention to the political Affairs. III
y be wrong TO give local self-government
part Of the State. then Il would seem that
the entire theory Of our government n
wrong. II the people Of those cities a.
not take o interest In public affairs
then they ought not to expect 10 oecuro N
from tbs outside, Local SSH governn
would compel them, ~ oo>f-rrG(oefi1
;ssis s sss, ssss's ss1 sss, < .