The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-04-27
Senator Works, Of California,
Makes a Stirring Speech
Today.
RECALL
And Denounces Corruption in
Politics and in Govern
ment as Well.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 90
Arizona's right to statehood under
the constitution which 1t has pre-
,sented found strong advocate on
the floor OF the United States senate
today in theperson of Senator Works.
CalIfornia's new member OF the up
per house Of Congress. In defend
ing the Arizona constitution he took
occasion TO warn the Republican
party that unless 1t should heed the
demand made upon 1t for an en-.
dorsement of the initiative and ref
erendum and recall, earnestly de-
manded by an overwhelming major
lily of the people of all political
parties" the party would go down
Ito defeat and final destruction and
oblivion"
| The real objection to the constitu-
ltion, he declared, was lone phase Of
the struggle that has been going On
in this country between the common
people and the privileged, seif-see&-
ing interests, affecting the right to
govern the nation, the state and the
municipalities" The initiative, ref
erendum and recall, provided for in
the Arizona constitution and already
in force in some states of the Union,
was one method the people were
taking, he asserted, OF trying to blot
out. corruption in politics. With the
exception or recall OF judges, he said
he was heartily in favor of this way
of getting rid OF incompetent or cor
rupt public servants.
4 The senator touched on the Lori
mer case in connection with his plea
| for honest politics. Senator Works
was named in the resolution intro
duced at the present session by SEN
}ator LaFollette calling for another
investigation of the Lorimer case, as
chairman of the committee of inves-
tigation.
This widespread uprising against
the corruption that, II persisted in,
must eventually overthrow our rep
resentatiVe form of government" he
said, is founded upon the most con-
Ivincing evidence that corruption is
eating at the very vitals of the re-
public and threatening the perpetu-
lity of our free Institutions. We
need not go outside of this chamber
TO find evidence OF this fact. The
pages of the Congressional Record
OF the last few months will disclose
a condition that has brought the
whole nation to shame. 1t was
charged that the election of mem
her of this body was procured by
corrupt practices and the bribery of
votes in the legislature. need not
enter upon a discussion OF the evil
dence in that ease. 1t is enough to
say that ii was clearly and suNiei-
entity shown that corrupt practices
had been resortcd to in the election
and that some votes had been pur-
chased.
Il have cited the case" the sena--
tor continued, ito show why the
people of this country may justly
claim a larger share in the election
OF their officers and the control OF.
legislation. 1t is one out of hun
dreds OF cases where corrupt and IL
legal influences have been brought
to bear to control elections and the
enactment of legislation detrimental
to the public at large.
Is there no way" he asked, Shy
which s"ch evil influences may bn
met overcome? Some senator's
heEe Am to think not. When the
people attempt to limit the power oil
their representatives and assume
some of that power themselves by
ignoring the unfaithfu1 representa-
tive and acting directly at the polls
or ny recalling him and substituting
an honest and faithful representa-
tive in his place, the cry is raised
Ithat this effort to control their own
plescrtatiyes and their own gov
eminent is violation of the consti.
luton OF the United States and an
encroachment upon the privileges Of
our representative form OF govern
ment.
That is the issue which confronts
us today, The proposed constitution
of Arizona provides for inc ia!t:a-
tive. referendum and recall. Or,
lection Is made 10 the admission of
This territory as a state on this
ground Gnd this alone"
------r-'---------------- !
Franklin j. Connolly, former
resident Of Clarksburg, is here from
NN'hoo1i,,y ~ , I,,,,;yae~ ,.'cit