The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-06-01
.CRUCE ADDRESSES
LARGE AUDIENCE
Ardmore Candidate Clearly States His
Position on All State And
National Issues.

last night to hear Lee Cruce, of Ard
more, speak on the Issues in Oklahoma,
in the interest Of his campaign for
the democratic nomination for gov
ernor. The crowd vas not alone
Vinita crowd, but was representative
of the entire county, as men we're here
from every part of the county. There
was goodly sprinkling of republicans
in the crowd and Mr.. Cruces address,
for the most part, pleased them.
Mr. Cruce was introduced in a neat
and very complimentary, although
short talk, by l. N Bunch, of Blue
jacket.
The leading gubernatorial candidate,
at least in this section of the state,
devoted the first portion of his ad-
dress to the discussion of national is
sues and to the progress and outlook
of democracy in affairs national. He
then discussed, at considerable length
the issues that have divided the opin-
ion Of democrats in this state and upon
which the various candidates for gov
ernor are divided.
Mr. Cruce evaded none of the is
sues and came out in flatfooted stand
on all OF them. He stated that
he was muchly in favor of the propos-
ed grandfather clause" to the con-
stitution, stating that he believed it
to the best interest of this state to
disfranchise the illiterate negro. He
stated that Oklahoma confronted
difficult problem in the negro question,
and that he believed that unless such
a clause was placed in the constitu-
tion that this state had real reason to
fear an attempt at negro domination,
and this would without doubt result in
serious race riots, which every south
ern state is now trying to avert.
He placed himself squarely in favor
of the bank guaranty law as it now
stands. He stated that he had been a
national banker eight years, and was
proud of the record he had made as
such, but that he regarded the Okla
homa banking law as far superior to
the national banking law, and cited
many of the provisions to Justify this
assertion.
He stated that he was unalterably
opposed to the Torrcns land system,
which he termed purely sociaIistsc
doctrine. Upon every other question
that has caused difference of opinion
among the various candidates, Mr..
Cruce took definite position and his
position in every instance was heart
lily approved by all who heard him,
with the possible exception Of the re-
publicans present and their approval
was hardly to be expected
After defining his attitude on the
various questions that have been dis
cussed by the other gubernatorial can
didates, he stated chat he would like
for the audience to ask him for his
position in regard to any state qnes-
ton they might see fit. The audience
took him at his word and piled him
with questions regarding the proposed
amendment to Article 9, Of the consti-
tuition, womans suffrage, prohibition
and the capital location matter. To
each of these questions he gave a
ready response, except the capital To-
cation and this ne should not have
been expected to take sides and neatly
sidestepped and caused much merri-
ment by stating that he favored Vim
ita for the state capital He said that
he was opposed to the amendment to
article 8, and to woman's suffrage. On
the question of prohibition he said
that, while that was not political
question, but one for each individual
to decide, yet the people had a right
to know his position He said that he
had voted for statewide prohibition
and until the people of this state by
their own initiation and votes chang,
ed that law he would enforce It to
the best of his ability
The speech made by Mr.. Cruce last
night, was the best heard here in
many years, and he made many
friends here, although this has been
and is one OF his strongholds. If the
entire state win give cruce the ma
jority that Craig county does there
need be no fear Of having to elect
Bill Murray
Mr.. Cruee left last night for Mus
kogee and stated that he would prob
ably not visit this county again before
the primary, but that he hoped to re-
turn here after August 2, as the DEM
ocratic candidate for governor and
promised to lead the state democracy
to a glorious victory next November