The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-09-28

ported puDllC oplulOH upon JuiS I'M
portant issue. 1t also shows plainly
that my first determination in the
matter was in harmony with the de
sires of the great majority of the tax
payers OF the state. In addition TO all
this, the Federated Labor Unions OF
the state in convention assembled
passed strong resolutions, urging me
in the interest of the taxpayers and
laborers of the state, to issue no call.
Similar resolutions were passed by
the Oklahoma German American Asso'
citation, and various other organiZa-
tons of the state and transmitted to
me.
Various reasons are assigned for
special session by those who advo'
vate the call, but practically al who
favor the session agree that two prop
ositions need speedy consideration
TO, wit, the proposition to erect the
capitol and the redistriCting the state
into congressional districts, With
reference to the frs proposition
this Legislature has already acted
upon the question of a capitol, and
that the building is not now in
course of construction is no fault of
the legislature. When the funds are
made available that were contracted
to be paid the state, the work will
go forward. ! do not believe that the
legislature could hasten its payment,
and ! am sure that there is, nothing
that can be done in special session
in regular session.
Nor do | think the redistricting Of
the state will warrani me in calling
a special session. The three additional
representatives IN congress, TO which
the state i.5 entitled. can be elected
from the state at large, and while il
may work 4 greater hardship upon
those who become candidates for
these positions. it occurs to me the
larger interest of all Of the people in
the matter should have the first con-
sideration. At the next regular ses'
sion a redistricting bill can be passed,
and IN the meantime the three repre-
sentative3 who will be elected from
the state at large. will. am sure, be
representative citizens who will prop
erly represent our people and their
interests at the national capitol.
Many other matters have been pro
posed for submission to the legis-
lature which are thought by their adj
.vocates to be sufficiently important to
justify speedy action. In fact, if all
of the propositions advocated should
be submitted. is is impossible 10 fore.
cast when the session would end.
However. il does not occur TO me that
any of these questions are of such
urgent character as to Justify the eX-
pense Of special session OF the leg
islature at this time
But there are other and stronger
reasons for holding no special ses-
sion Since statehood the legisla.
ture has been in session, exclusive of
Sundays and holidays. three hundred
and seventy-two davs, at a cost to the
taxpayers of the state of 1861, ,177.01.
According to these figures, our lesis
lature has been in session practically
one-third of the entire time interven-
ing since statehood, and since the
trainers of our constitution deemed
one-twelfth of the time ample to pass
all needed laws it cannot be said
that sufficient opportunity has not
been given to pass all such laws in
this state No session of the legisla-
ture, special or regular. has ever CON
vened in this state that cos the. peo-
pie less than 100000. It is quite
certain hat a special session at this
time, would cost at the least. 100000
ana possibly much more This is a
burden | am unwilling TO place upon
the bending backs of our taxpayers
without greater necessity therefor
shall come to pass.
I In addition to all this, We have our
remedy through the initiative. There
is not a single measure thai has been
proposed to me for legislative action
that could not be initiated by the peo-
pie; and since no effort is being made
by the people to initiate any of these
measures, it is evident they see no
pressing need for immediate action.
, Sohe have urged as reason for
| calling a special session the interests
OF the democratic party. Ny answer