The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-02-01
PEOPLES FORUM
ArdnOrcite

your article in Sundays paper out.
lining a blanket primary for the Sc.
lection of the candidates to run for
commissioners In the general clec
tion for the various wards of the
city ] must say that the plan as
YOU outline would certainly be very
unsatisfactory. as it would, in my
opinion. defeat the very purpose OF
commissioner from each ward as pro
v.icd by the new charter for the
govcrumcu, of this city. Had We only
three wards am quite sure We would
have but three commissioners, ohc
10 represent each ward. As 1t is
they provide for four commissioners
that each Of the four warts may
have a representative in the commits
sionar Of their own choice Neither
ward in this city should have any
right or take any part in selecting
candidate for another ward in the
primary election. as ] have no doubt
that the voters of each of the four
wards are fully capable and think
they have sufficient judgment to Sc
lcct their own candidates without
the assistance OF the people Of any
or all the other three wards Now
am strictly in favor of a blanket
primary because that means the pco
pie shall rule and have self gov
crnmcut, and It is democratic, whcth
or It he warI. district or county
hut IT. does not mean that all the
voters In the various wards of a
city shall participate in the selection
of candidate for the general olec.
tion to represent the people of a
special ward, and | think It is well
that they should not because the vot
crs of each of the wards are much
better qualified TO make their own
selection or should be at least, than
the voters Of the other wards. You
say there is some danger of a man
being selected who might be defeat
ed by the other wards. by all means
the voters of each ward should agree
to support the candidate who is the
choice of the ward In which ne
lives and IL he should prove to be in
capable We are clothed with the pow.
or of recall which should be en-
forced as soon as the fact Is known
To force or attempt to force can
didate on the people against the
wishes of a majority Of the voters
of any ward in this town would
causce untold trouble and dissatsfac
tion. and the only way TO avoid that
Is TO hold a primary In each ward
and allow only The voters in the ward
10 participate in the selection of the
man they wish TO represent them. In
fact, If this plan as outlined In the
article referred to, was adopted and
carried out, It would make It posi-
bic for one ward of this city TO So
lcct every commissioner on thai
board regarlloss Of the wishes oI
the voters or citizens of each of IN,
other wards, and ! certainly can no.
think that would be very satisfactory
in the face of the fact that these
commissioners, with the mayor, are
TO be all powerful in spending the
peoples money. making all needed
improvements all over the city, ant
not only that but nearly il not quite
all the laws by which the peop,,
are 10 be governed are to he made
in which the citizenship is vitally in
tcrestod, and they do not only want
but must and will have, a voice il
the selection of the men in whom
they place this trust, a man who II
to be the direct representative o
the ward from which he is chosel
'yet none the less OF the whole
city. The man that the people are t'
look to for their desires in connec
tion with the city government trul!
is n servant of the people, and b,
all means he should go In with tn,
hearty support of the people of hi
own ward, so that he may be abl
to get their endorsement, supper
and encouragement after he is put II
Office, none of which he could &c
If his selection was made agans
their wishes. So let's make no mis-
take in the manner in which W
choose our candidates and when the
take charge of the city's bushes
let every citizen get in behind ther
not to stab them but to encourag
and assist them in every way poi