The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-01-18
DECLARES THAT OHIO GOVERNOR
is NOT THE MAN TO LEAD DE-
MocRAcY.
DENOUNCES CORRUPT
ELECTION PRACTICES
References to Lorimer Affair Provokes
Great AppIause-Advocates oregon
Plan of Choosing Presidential EIec-
tors.

iOhlduDind NlA9f jan. Ao+ ~ NS'-
mite declaration that Governor Judson
Harmon OF Ohio does not deserve to
lead the American democracy was
made by United States Senator Robert
l.. Owen OF Oklahoma, who has been
men oned as the democratic floor
leader Of the senate, in his address be-
fore the Oklahoma legislature in joint
session, Tuesday.
The Oklahoma senator's address was
devoted primarily to a plea for purer
election rlethods, and it was in that
connection that he mentioned Har-
mons name. After citing various in
stances OF corrupt election methods, he
said:
Look at Adams county, Ohio, where
1000 voters have already been indict-
ed for selling their votes. Democrats
and republicans are guilty alike. In
such state as that it is merely a
question of which side has the more
money.
"For that reason Governor Harmon
does not deserve to lead the American
democracy believe that he is big
hearted man, but he is surrounded by
gentlemen who know exactly what
they want"
The reference to Harmon provoked
some scattered applause, but most OF
tthe Tegislators looked little dubious
ana seemed uncertain as to whether
they ought to applaud at that point.
There was no hesitation, however,
when Senator owen referred to the
Lorimer Incident
my contention is that no senator
should be allowed to retain his seat
when his election was accompanied by
corrupt practices or bribery" said
Senator owen.
did | voice the conscience and in
telligence Of my state or not?" The
senator shot out the incisive inquiry
i'll tone that arrested the attention Of
every auditor
"Yes. yes" came the shouts in ans
wer from every part of the legislative
hall.
I'VE ought to prevent any officer
from keeping his office, from United
states senator down to constable.
where he IS proven to be the benefic-
iary Of corrupt practices, said Senator
owen, who went on to state that this
is the rule OF the British parliament
and ought to be adopted here.
In the same connection Senator
owen expressed a hope that the legis-
lature would consider the Oregon rule
providing a preferential vote on presi-
dent, SO that each voter can have a
first, second and third choice. He de-
clared that for many years the choice
Of president had really been made,
with very few exceptions, by Wall
street, but he expressed a belief that
with the Oregon plan this condition
could not be continued.
They have lined up delegates from
southern states in republican conven-
tions in the hands Of a few men" he
said Il don't think that the presi-
dent Of the United States should be
nominated by any other party than
the people of the United States
Senator Owen declared that the
party that would succeed nationally
must stand on the Oklahoma constitu
ton and in favor Of such advanced
measures as the initiative and referen
dunn, the mandatory primary and q
rigid corrupt practices act. He re
ferred at some length to the rapidity
with which the initiative and refer
endum idea is spreading over the
country. and to the fact that Arizona
Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas. Illinois and Wisconsin
had either adopted the idea or pledged
themselves to it,