The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-02-08
HuiIc the viaduct.
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A REAL ISSUE

A REAL ISSUE
While agents Of corporate wealth.
'prowl under tarious disguises and
seek 10 confzse the average voter
about taxes OF no considerable mo-
ment the real opposition TO Democ-
rrcy for the control OF Oklahoma af-
ia.rs have struck an awful blow at
ihe sovereign rights OF the state and
made a desperate attempt TO over
throw the will OF the people regard
ing the regulation OF corporations
through the instrumentality OF the
,onstilutionaly made regulating
board, the state corporation conmis-
sion, via the Federal court route.
The decision. although at present
but temporary in it's nature, of Judge
Hook, allowing the railroads 10 re-
turn 10 the three cent passenger fare
rates, with corresponding and more
important returns TO old freight tar
iffs. ii the most staggering blow dealt
fc the people Of Oklahoma since first
We wore the crown of sovereignty.
Ii il sufficient TO paralyze many
industries and. if allowed TO stand,
brings us backward 10 those days
when we paid twenty per cent inter
est charges and were at the mercy
of tariff makers In the railroad gen
eral offices which had no mercy for
The hard working empire builders in
this fertile section OF the imperial
Southwest.
For almost two decades the build
ers OF Oklahoma fought yaliantly but
without avail for fair freight rates.
They we're unable TO utilize the won
derfuI resources OF our country for
manufactured pronGcts, because OF
discrimination in freight rates. The
people were fettered by Departmental
rule on the East SIDE while the old
Oklahoma Territory had sufficient
FEDERAL appointees to be helpless IN
an effort 10 secure adjustment upon
any sort OF fair basis. With state
hood came a regime that was Of and
10. Oklahoma The constitution was
pfeeminenily one OF fairness for al
seeking a fair deal. The people chose
the cOnsi si,tution aud the party which
stood sponsor for it and we entered
upon period OF industrial activit,
unparalleled by any other common
wealth recently admitted into thl
sisterhood of states. From the hou
inc constitution was placed befor
ne electorate for consideration anti
now there has been all organization
OF deposed officebolders and corpora
ton exploiters who have relentlessl
assaiIed the cause Of he commona
ity. More aud mightier grew thei
- hanufun "a 4
parent those who had been dethrone
were assailmg the citadel OF popula
rights with all OF the ingenuity an
wealth possible 10 muster for so NJ
just and unrlghteous cause.
These combinations against tn
comm1nallty have made an issue. |
their first wellconeealed attempts
batter down the chief executive {
I the state and those who stood as
wall for mis- support and the cause
constitutional rights. they game
some headwsy ard actually cause
many loyal Democrats to stagger &
the awful conditions they parade
and prated about, although such ne'
er existed With the same great co
poraie interests refusing 10 pay the
just taxes and of necessity embarias
ing the taxing boards Of the state, an
an organized assault upon the yer
rights of the people. these seli-electe
leaders 10 restore the old regime pro
perd and waxed strong and their firs
great awakening will be when the
ascertain he commonallty has see
through their various DISCUSSES an
will fight them as relentlessly as !
he days when we were battling fc
support ol the constitution OF tn
state.
Men sink into insignilicance In th
combat that must be had. This
he battle OF fundamental issues; tn
crossing Of bsliots as swords b.
tween those who believe the prospe
fly OF the many is the desideratu
ui government, against The corporal
Breed exploiters who stand by tn
cause Of special privilege. All oths
Issues sink into insignlflcance. I'll
Democracy. still the unconquere
viilp4pjoD Df the masses. asks r
seaier privilege than to stand Il
|. -n--1. -n1ust tai
their place among The few. Wher
ar Voter In this array Of comba