The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-09-10

organization, has been the steadfast
foe Of political corruption in any form
] am sorry indeed that the political his
tory Of our country win not Justify the
same remark about the republican
party. One Of my boyhood political
rceoIlections is the election outrage
Of 1878 in which the viii Of a sovereign
nation OF free people was ruthlessly
overturned by a republican election
hoard, and a man who had been over
whelmingly defeated at the ballot box
was given the highest office within the
gift Of the people Of this government.
Again, in 1896. the same party, by the
most shameful use or millions Of dol
lars OF money, thwarted' a free and
honest election. Since then, in republi-
can cities and states. unfair and dis
honest elections have been so frequent
that they have become the rule rather
than the exception But we need not
20 beyond the borders Of our state to
lind instances Of the ranlest unfair
ness aud discrimination practiced by
the republican party We recall the
now historic fact OF the counting OUT
OF the late Bin Cross after he had
been elected as delegate to congress,
and that was accomplished under the
election laws OF Oklahoma Territory as
enforced by the republican party. /
win also call your attention to the
provisions OF the enabling act as
passed by a republican congress which
provided that all OF the persons who
should district the proposed state for
the election OF delegates 10 the consti-
iutional convention should be republi-
cans, and though the democratic party
was largely in the majority 1t was
denied any representation whatever.
Against such unfairness the demo-
cratic party has constantly and consist
entity warred. The democracy sf this
state and nation realized that the only
safeguard to the perpetalfy Of free
government lies in an untrammeled
ballot. No greater crime against good
government can be committed than po.
litical larceny. and the punishment for
such offense should Ne speedy, certain
and severe. In keeping with this idea
Of clean politics and pure government
the platform upon which / stand con
taIns this provision: THE democratic
party Of Oklahoma stands for fair prs
mary and general election law with all
laws to be bipartisan and the mem
bers Of same to receive endorsement
Of the respective parties prerequisite
to appointment. Upon this same
subject, your party platform upon
which you stand for election says: eve
demand return to the election ma
chlnery in force prior to statehood. v
An election machinery under which the
most flagrant and outrageous dishon.
essy was not only possible, but was
actually perpesrated.
You intimate in your letter that pos
sibly your nomination and mine are not
uutainted with fraud. II thought for
an instant that my nomination was the
result OF political theft, or any form Of
unfairness would Surrender the nomi.
nation back to the party that gave IT.
as you should do II you feel that your
domination was not fairly won. viii
never accept nomination or an cleo
tion that IS purchased at the price OF
the honor and integrity OF my party
or state. Dishonesty in politics is so
abhorent to me / can not look with the
least degree of tolerance upon the cleo
tion crook or thief. You suggest that
each party have two watchers in each
polling place, and counting room to
see that votes are fairly counted. The
laws under which we operate provides
that one such watcher from each party
may be appointed. but | am perfectly
willing that You may have two Or any
greater number OF watchers that you
may deem necessary 20 insure fair
count
also agree that two carbon copies
81 the tally sheets may be made, and
kept; one by the clerk and the other
BY the Inspector as You suggest. The
present law provides, Art 8. Sec. s.
that three such copies shall be made.
one 70 be delivered to the inspector,
the other two 70 accompany the stao
book ol ballots. / ami justified ia cali
ing yohr attention to this fact The
legisialure at its session in January.
1908 passed a law amending the pres.
ept election law which contained this
provision: "Triplicate copies Of said
Vl'l ttilcdtes On Iorms provided for that