The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-04-03
CONSTRUCTIVE sfATEsMANsHlP


The republican newspapers OF the
state are SC busy trying to make an
excuse for general criticism OF the
different departments OF state offic-
falls. they inadvertently admit the
work has been more than good, and
equal 10 that of any Ike officials IN
these United States In all OF the
diatrlbcs against the various branch
es, not one specific case has been
mentioned, and. after having opposed
or favored some one peculiar act, they
reverse SO rapidly as to admit they
are, under one guiding spirit, seeking
only to annoy the party in power, and
mislead the voters wherever possible
70 do SO.
The work done by the legislature
and tne executive departments has
largely been of the constructive kind.
The constitution had laid down some
parts for vitalization, and there was
the work Of uniting the two teritor-
les, without a hitch In the judiciary
affairs, the most important and care
ful work that could come before a
legislative body.
Necessarily there has been hard la
Dor lost in the vitalizing Of certain
points and perhaps It would be possi-
bic to 40 The work of unification more
rapidly than was done by the legisla-
ture, but. finished and spread before
the people for their inspection, not
one single measure has been the recip-
lentof a specific attack upon the part
Of tho republican press or the man
who controls II in this hour Of It's ly-
ing ambitions.
With the emergency laws of the
state sent out IN book form since the
legislature accomplished It's work the
republican editors have been too busy
to even attempt 10 criticise Two pa
pars. followed by their country weekly
constituencies. haze attacked the dis
pensary bill and yet both of them had
previously larruped the legislature for
not having passed the bill weeks and
weeks before 1t was made law. The
inconsistency Of that attack is so glar-
ing that even the hardened editors
who made the effort We're compelled
70 put mp the storm doors TO shut out
the protests of their own readers
against such despicable political tao
tics. In making general assault
upon the legislative bodies, the repub.
licans attack the minority FOR few
men have been more consistent and
hard workers TO aid in finishing the
work than some Of the republicans in
each house. The legislation has been
very little Of a partisan nature the
members feeling the new state re-
quired broad and constructive states
manshlp. and, therefore. the minority
found a place and part to perform,
aud some Of them have met with the
hearty assistance and congratulatins
OF the democrats. Hand in hand the
majority and the minority have labor
"a for the well-being OF the people OF
this state, and the newspaper iibing
az the work Of this great legislative
body, comparing favorably with any
other legislative body in the United
States, lays the scorpion whip of crit
icism upon Charley" Jones' Or.
Sands, Emory BrowBlee, Harper Gun
ningham, Hep" Stanford. and other
members Of republican faith. these
men having had much 20 do with leg
islation. Perhaps no man In the lower
house has beer heard more often than
Jones, Of Oklahoma City and Il is
certain that Stanford has accomplished
The feat, IN committee work. of con-
Hincing the democrats that he. too.
loves the state. and wishes the people
% have the best thers Is going
The Leader feels that common love
OF the state and the welfare OF an the
people should cause any editor. re
gardlees Of his political alliances, TO
be fair With the members Of the state
government That a newspaper has
the right 20 crlticiae- yea. should se-
Eerely criticise any measure Il deems
bad for the people, Is admitted by an
fair men. Bur 10 make a sweeping
criticism, offering to tho outside world
unuuths 70 defame and injure the
state, Is something conceded neither
newspaper editor or private citizen.
Every citizen Of the state is greatly
Interested 10 the work OF the first leg.
iflatuTe aud the conduct OF the state
oiiclais puder a new constitution
and with much new work 70 do. the
people felt that the session would
make or mar The prosperity Of tbs
coming two years. and the anxiety has
passed away, save in those Isolated
cufoe where the reuuhIfran neusa.