The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-11-02
ASTOUNDING
ADMISSION
Democratic Newspaper Frank
Iy Tells Why Democrats
Oppose Redistricting
FROM M'CREARY'S M0UTHPIECt

Perhaps the most astounding admis-
sion that has been made by any DEM
ocratic newspaper of what the Demo
Gratis really think on the question Of
fairly redistrictinE the state has come
from the Henry County Local, publish
cd at New Castle, Ky. This Demo
cratic newspaper describes the sec.
lions Disseminated against by the
gerrymander that has deprived $685.
705 citizens OF representation In the
legislature. as inhabited by a rough
and disorderly" people, and declares
that many Of them delight In blood
shed and strife" II gives this as the
reason the Democrats will not redis-
trict the state II they carry the next
election. The article appeared In the
issue OF October 10, and was written
by the editor as an answer to a speech
made In New Castle by Judge O'Rear.
when he declared that the Constitu-
ton Is being grossly violated by the
gerrymander The editorial from the
Henry County Local, Democratic
newspaper, Is as follows, and, coming
from Senator McCreary's mouthpiece
in that section OF the state. 1t is sig
nifcant admission OF what the Demo
Gratis intend to do:
The Editorial.
Judge O'Rear's points were well
put and stood out clearly, and there
was an apparent show Of fairness on
his part, though 1t was more seeming
than real. His manner and method
were those OF the shrewd lawyer that
he is, addressing jury, his aim being
to make them see one side and only
one side of the case. In this instance
his jury was five or six hundred
strong, probably half Of them Demo-
Gratis.
HE did not try to make many
points, only two or three-though he
has raised other issues elsewhere. The
| gist and bulk of his speech was to
show that the constitution has been
violated by the Democrats for 20
years in that they have failed to re-
district the state so as to give Repub-
lican sections Of the state equal rep
resentation in the legislature, ETC..
with Democratic sections.
"The Judge stated the truth In the
matter and no Democrat will deny IL.
But what of It? Democrats say that
though there is provision Of the su.
preme law requiring the redistricting
decennially, 1t is to all intents and
purposes a dead letter. lacking the
QUE thing necessary to give 1t life that
is necessary in the case of any social
ed dead letter law in the statute
book, and that one thing is public
sentiment. They, the Democrats, rea'
son about this way: The sections OF
the state that are Disseminated
against are for the most part noun
tainous, or, IL not, then mining regions
in any event, parts OF the state In
habited by rough and disorderly peo'
pie whose civilization is but little more
than a Pigment. These are the people
among whom feuds ever exist, very
many Of them deIighting In strife
bIoodshed and turmoil, as a result OF
all of which the entire state Is not
only taxed heavily to pay for criminal
prosecutions, but is given most un
enviable reputation abroad.
Now say Democrats. who occupy
and rule the weather. and larger por
ton of the state where law-enforce-
ment and good order prevail. we have
voted heavy taxes upon ourselves to
give these rough, wild people public
schools and high schools, in order that
they may become good citizens and
thus acquire the power that education
gives to develop their country and
give their lands greatly increased
value in consequence, and thus put
themselves on an equal footing with
ourselves. So we have acted a gen
erous part. and until those things
come to pass We have done enough
A Matter Of Protection.
"But, the question of protection II
also neutrality-suspicious. for the prop
erty and other material interests o.
the better part Of the state-and self
interest is very hard to suppress. Blu
where's the danger? Let the horde.
Of rough and tough people spoken o.
send a big bunch OF representative.
and Senators to Frankfort with theiI
crude notions Of internal improvement mt
their ill-considered plans Of genera
road making and other wild schemes
to be effectuated at public expense
and this Godfavored region OF our
would be made to groan under addet
tax burdens for years and years-hov
long: This would be accomplished b,
these people, aided by self seeking
men from other parts Of the state.
Besides, isn't the principle just thu
same as our Republican administra
ton at Washington has applied TO ou
insular possessions, which are govern
ed with but very little 'say-so' in thu
process. protection being the reason
therefor? Equality among individual
is the theory. II is true, in our system
OF government, but practically nothing
like equality has ever been attaine'
In this country or any other Judg'
O'Rear's affected altruism In this mat
ter is the merest buncombe. But,
the people OF the more prosperous sec
tons OF the state are DESTROYS o