Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1910-06-30

the candidacy OF Hon. o. b. Colquitt,
because:
1. We regard him as the only expo
nent of the doctrine of local self-gov-
eminent.
2. We endorse his contention that
our constitution should not be amend
cd except in the manner prescribed
in that instrument, because we fear
that unless this wise method IS main
taiRed, despotic majorities may de-
stroy the rights of minorities and the
freedom of the people as communities
and individuals.
8. We contend that the commercial
and industrial interests of our state
demand and deserve a cessation of ex-
perimental legislation and political
strife in order that the development
of Texas and the progress of our
people may proceed unhindered.
Submission.
Stripped of prejudice, hysterla and
subterfuge, the great issue of this cam
palgn reaches the very foundation of
representative government. The prime
question is, shall the people, by repre-
sentative senatorial districts, which
are the unites of all legislative power,
be deprived of their vote and their
voice by the plurality party referen-
dunn or by any authority or instruction
beyond their own free will? Upon the
answer to this question depends the
preservation of the principals which
sustain the republic itself. All repre-
sentative government is a delegation
of power, expressed or implied, from
the people to their offlcers-from the
people who elect the officers to whom
the officers are responsible and NO
officer who is thoroughly represen'
tatiye can in good conscience or sound
policy disobey the instructions or dis
regard the opinions of the constituents
who give him his office and trust him
with their sovereignty. Party obliga
tions cease to be- binding, but become
impertinent dictation or intolerable
tyranny when they presume to Ignore
or override the primary authority OF
the local constituency over its repre-
sentative. However, much of this pri
mary authority communities see fit to
yield In respect to matters of statutory
legislation or matters of eXpediency
of policy in the interest of party wei.
fare, nothing can be yielded in respect
to changing the constitution, which is
the peoples compact and the peoples
refuge from the disturbances of pass
ion, the revolutions of fitful sentiment
the crusades of misguided zeal and the
disregard of minority rights of person
recognizing, defending and applauding
the rights and the wisdom of the
people as Co rnstnfn5 isI,ser-o-s,,
situations and laws, but we present
that right and that wisdom in their
integrity and power when we insist
that the constitution, our freely formed
compact of self-government, shall not
be altered except in the wise manner
provided in the agreement And We
warn the Democrats of Texas that the
appeal which is made today in the
name of morality and temperance, II
needed, will become a precedent In
overthrowing other constitutional
rights of life and liberty. States may
be corrupted as they may be deceived
and greed for gain and lust of power
in the future may operate as passion
and prejudice or endeavoring now to
do, to destroy the reserved rights of the
homesteader and the laborer and the
free agency of the citizen to do as he
will so long as he does not interfere
with the rights of his neighbor, or tc
take from the local communities, the
precinct, the city and the county, the
right of local control of all affairs
which concern themselves alone. When
the sovereign voters of any represen
tative or senatorial district have ex
pressed their decision on any public
question and have instructed theil
public servant officially to vioce thai
decision, by the rule of principal ant
agent, no faithful public servant car
violate his instructions and yet retair
his commission. This principal is mo-
confined alone to law; it is of neces
sity fundamentally sound and true IL
politics and good morals.
Local Option.
If our reason. our Democracy ant
our instructive devotion to right princi
pies of free government did not teacf
us the fallacy of present politica
preachments in Texas, the sad exper
fences of other states would admonisl
us not to follow the rash experiments
which are proposed. Alabama, com
monwealth similar to Texas In many
respects, has repudiated by two decis
i've votes of the Democracy of tina
state both constitutional and statutory
statewide prohibition, and after bite
and distressful strife, has reaffirmet