The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-20
TO THE LEGISLATURE.

TO THE LEGISLATURE.
Pursuant to Section Seven, Article
Six OF the constitution, have deem
Ed it to the best interests OF the peo
pie of our State to convene the Leg
islatlve branch of our government in
Extraordinary session, believing that
there Is necessity for Legislation, the
benefits OF which will far outweigh
the. cost OF this meeting, limited, as
believe 1t may be, to brief period.
The people Of Oklahoma have en-
trusted the Legislature and the Gov
erhor with certain duties of govern
nlert, which II is our duty to perform
from time to time as our best judg-
nient may convince us is right, and
when we are confronted with official
duty, 1t devolves upon us to execute
the sarne without fear Of criticism,
and with a Arm hand, and with a
discrimination to do tho right, to
make government as beneficial for
the mass OF our people, and at the
same time as economic as the close
application of genius may devise, and
honesty OF purpose promote.
State Building.
The building OF great state car
ries with 1t burdens upon its public
officials and its people that every cit
izen is bound to appreciate, and 1t Is
only senseless or vicious critics that
would demand In the beginning those
conditions Of perfection and organiza-
ton which can come only with years
Of effort. You may rely upon II that
onf duty fearlessly and honestly per-
formed. will meet the approval Of all
those whose good opinion Is worthy
OF consideration iaN
The organization OF new state un-
der ordinary conditions is vast un-
dertaking. But the consolidation Of
two Territories into one State. as we
have. undertaken. i stands without a
precedent in our American Union. I'm
I'll the admission OF Oklahoma there
hbd been no other newly created
state within the last forty years. ex-
cept such az had been preceded by
thorough Territorial organization,
with counties. districts, and towns
thoroughly organized and under local
government, with school houses,
bridges, roads, and other improve
ments already in existence, and the
people EXPERIENCED in the conduct OF
local government.
Again, no such state had as much
as three hundred and fifty thousand
population, nor greater than forty nil
lion dollars OF wealth whereas in
Oklahoma the area OF our state, from
which forty OF our new counties were
made, was wholly unorganized, - no
county organizations, no school dis
tricts, no townships, 10 rural school
houses, no bridges. no RAIDS, and the
local Officers necessarily elected
largely of men who had had little or
no opportunity to gain experience in
the science Of local government, and
however capable, 1t was necessary
for them to have time and experience
to qualify themselves for satisfactory
pubic service. and In our new state,
with almost one and half million
population and one billion dollars OF
wealth, we have fully realized that the
magnitude OF contention with which
Your officers have to deal is largely
measured by its population and its
wealth
To be selfish is but human, and we
have had 10 contend with the de-
nands OF selfish interests, and to put
on bold and determined front to
those who would attain selfish ends at
the expense OF the great mass whose
defense is our sworn duty. And
hence, say to you, that it is not to
be taken as in any way Indicating
that your Honorable Body in your
former sessions, failed In any degree
In the performance Of any work, that
found it desirable 10 have you meet
again.
Indeed, in state building, under .
constitution written at the command
Of the honest people of our state, YOU
are to be commended for the good
work OF the First and. Second Ses
eions, and " Is not surprising that
there Is more good work to perform
We are not here to criticise the OK
Iahoms Territorial Legislature. which
Ia seventeen years preceding state
hood accumulated code of law:
which the state inherited, and which
might have been sufficient for state
government. In the spirit OF fair
ness and liberality. we prefer to ss,
that changed conditions, grentei
population and greater development
might have necessitated. in some de
!. gree, different code OF laws. Lei
that subject be buried with the past
y and let us live in the present, ant
continue amending the Oklahoma Ter
yitory laws wherein their amendmen
may benefit 'our people, and mak'
them TO ht modern conditlons,and th'
protective features which our consti
tuition guarantees to our people
Before asking your Honorable Bod.
to enter upon the consideration Of th'
matters to which | shall call your al
tention, want to thank you for tn
good work OF the past, and In extend
ing my thanksto The Legislative Bo1y
! trust that no one will fail to real
ire that my thanks are 10 your entir'
m0Inhonahfu 1T have 0ft0n and ii