The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1911-05-31
AttainabIe by Proper Leg
islatiVe Action.
THE PLEUGING OF CANDIDATES
On Important Measures OF
Vital Interest, a Nee
eSSary Duty.
AN APPEAL TO NEWSPAPERS

The people of Kentucky can have
insured to them, when the next
session of the Legislature ends,
good roads, good school buildings,
bipartisan control of the peniten-
tiaries, the power to revise the tax
system, If they see fit, the overthrow
of the lobby and the other reforms
of which the State stands in such
sore need, if every Democratic
newspaper in Kentucky will de-
mand and secure from the Demo-
cratic candidate in its legislative
district a pledge as to the way in
which his vote, in the event that he
is elected, will be cast on the fol-
lowing measures:
/. State aid for good roads.
2. The right of the counties to
issue bonds to build schoolhouses.
3. A bipartisan board of control
for the States penal institutions,
appointed by the Governor and APP
proved by the Senate, in the place
OF the political machine and lobby
now constituted by the Board of
Penitentiary Commissioners main
tanned at the States expense. The
abolition of the contract labor sys-
tenn. The employment of the con-
victs in the building of roads.
4. The overthrow of the lobby
by the use of the iniative and ref
erendum. if it can be accomplished
in no other way.
>. State inspection of State
banks.
6. Popular election of United
States Senators.
Z. A primary for the nomina-
ton of all State officers by both
parties, the expense to be met by
the State, the poor man to be given
an equal chance with the rich in Of
fering for office. ..-..
s. A constitutional amendment
giving the people the right, If they
20 desire, to revise the tax SYSTEM
8. The removal by law of the
,eace officer who fails to protect his
prisoner.
The Times here pledges itself to
)ut these questions directly up to
very legislative candidate who an
lounces in Louisville or Jefferson
county. 1t now puts these questions
lirectly to Senator McCreary and to |
,Ir. Adams, the candidates for the |
Democratic nomination for the Gov
'rnorship. 1t will make known |
heir response or their failure to
espond. 1t requests of them an an
wer before the day set for the pri-
nary.
The one and only time in which
he people control the politicians is
When the politicians are dependent |
IN the people for nomination and
lection. The one and only time in
which the people have the power to
xact pledges is before nomination |
nd election. The man who goes to
unpledged is free to make |
lis own terms. The man who goes
pledged cannot escape responsible
Y If his pledges are violated.
There have been strong forces at
work in both parties to keep Ken
lucky illiterate. her roads unbuilt.
YER prisons the richest spoil in a svs-
EN- of spoils. her taxes oppressive,
'er elections the prey of the power
ul. her lack of law and order a bv-
word for others, curse to herself.
Strong forces will be needed to
light these wrongs. The Times as
| Democratic newspaper believes
hat the Democratic press and the
people of Kentucky possess the
power requisite. AS Democratic
newspaper. it calls on them to exer-
Use 1t before the mower is taken
rom them bv their failure to act
Louisville Times.