The log cabin Democrat., 1912-08-16
RECALL OPPOSED
 BY CONWAY MAN PRESENT LAWS AMPLE
J. H. DUNN SAYS OFFICERS WILL BE AFRAID TO DO
 THEIR DUTY.
Editor Log Cabin Democrat:

Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
 Shall We have the recall of officials in Arkansas?
 The answer to this question is of vital interest to the electorate of Ar kansas at the present time, because they will be called upon to make an- swer to it on the 9th day of Septem- Der, 1912, and because in it's effect it concerns the organic law of the state and introduces therein an innovation that will bring momentous altera- tions in our official polity.
 casual examination of the law as Tt now stands and the effect that the proposed change will make, convinces us that there are two parties that will be either benefited or injured by the change. First, the officers: sec ond, the people.
 If the officers alone were the only parties to be affected by the change aside from the innate injustice that they would be subjected to and of which the people themselves would be a party, there would be no necessity of the electors giving their serious attention to this amendment
 It is the effect it will have upon the people that demands the most se- rious consideration.
 | Tho chfaof of hn ob l in an amendment to the constitution submitted for our acceptance or re- Jection is to adopt an easier and more speedy and efficient method of calling to account our public officials, mak- ing them give an account of their stewardship, relieving them of their office, and substituting another off cer in their stead at the same time, hoping thereby, to improve the ser vice rendered by them by using this power as a club to hold over their heads to spur them onward in the paths of righteousness, and as an axe with which to decapitate their official heads should they prove unfaithful to the trust which they are called up- on to execute.
 If there were no method of getting an unfaithful public servant out of the way under the present law, there would be no excuse at all for not vot- | ing for this amendment.
 But it seems to me that our pres ent laws upon that subject are ample to meet any ordinary infraction of duty. Under the present constitu- tion and statutes there are methods by which all officers may be removed by proper authority for crimes, mis- demeanors, malfesance, misfeasance and gross misconduct.
 It is true there is no method of reaching an officer for not pursuing any special or pet line of conduct, which, in my judgment, is very wise and expedient. For, if mans hold ing to an office depends upon that, it would be precarious indeed, subject to the whims and fluctuations of spontaneous sentiment and of dis gruntled kickers (which We always have with us), constituting only one eighth of the voters of the state or county or township or district. There can always be found that many who are dissatisfied and who will become tools of the demagogue who seeks mo- toriety and some other mans office.
 Changes often occur in political sentiment in the community and peo- pie regret the'way they voted and are only too anxious to get an opportun- ity to remove an officer, which, in my Judgment, unless there are grounds for his removal which would subject him to the process of the law as it now stands, would be very inexped- tent and unjust.
 Besides, the recall of the officer who does not depend upon the official misconduct of the official alone, but under the proposed amendment at the election for recall, other candi- dates will be running for his office possibly two or three-and of course the friends of each candidate will vote for recall in order that their vote for their candidate may count.
 So it is obvious that a mans hold ing on to his office depends as much upon the popularity of his opponents as upon his own popularity and inef- ficiency.
 Besides, all officers that now serve Il H. ..oo,,1, ,.1.onnn. LlIl 4hn;