The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1912-08-22
ADVISES DEFEAT
OF RECALL Law
MEASURE is DANGEROUS
DIR. A. C. NIILAR POINTS OUT
OBJECTIONS TO INITIATIVE
AMENDMENT.
From Npnuay $ Daily

From Mondays Daily
in q series Of editorials in the
Western Methodist, Dr. A. c. Millar
president cf Hendrix College, points
out ms objections 10 the constitution
al amendment providing for the re-
Ican. which he charges is a dangerous
measure and one which deserves de-
feat at the polls in September. The
first editorial n the series appears
below:
Is oar readers well know, We
stand fer government by the people.
We believe N Democracy. 1t tends to
educate and develop men. For this
reason Ne have heartily and consist
entity tf.ampioned the initiative and
referendum. and we rejoiced when
the principle was incorporated into
| the constitution, and again we reJolc-
ed when oar supreme court stripped
the amendment of its absurdities
which were intended to discredlt and
nulhfy it. We believe that finally the
principle VIII be applied under appro-
pirate legislation to affairs of coun-
ties and municipalities where no state
| law forn4Gs Now we are asked to APP
prove the recall Of officers, to adopt a
which by petition any officer from
Justice Of the peace to supreme Judge
and from constable to governor may,
! in a few months after his election, be
forced TO fight merely to retain his
office. We are urged to adopt this
s.. because it IS labeled Democratic. At
first tnoaEnt the principle appeals to
! the lover If popular rule, but sober
consideration suggests difficulties
which make the recall terribly dan
perous. When is a form OF govern
ment Democratic? When it best eX-
presses the deliberately formed judg-
ment Of majority of the people. A
MOB may &c composed of a majority
of the citizens and its fury may rep
! resent the real feeling of the people
under great excitement. But 90 we,
therefore, desire mob government!
No. the people themselves need re-
straints to enable them to protect
themselves from outbursts of passion
and prejudice The effects of lynch
ing are always bad, however horri-
BILE the crime avenged.
There are good reasons for the
adoption Of laws by the initiative. 1t
gives tine for discussion, time to
study conditions. A legislature some
times passes an important law hasti-
". almost secretly, and, without the
initiative or referendum, it stands
and works perpetual injustice.
In the case Of an officer, it is diff
feren1. He goes into Office with al
most half the people opposed to HIM
because of party alignment. Many
of the measures for which he IS
pledged REQUIRE months and years to
execute. He may easily be misunder-
|
stood py some Of his friends, whom ne
has not pleased, and they uniting
with his former enemies petition Tor
his recall. He must then take the
field to fight merely for the privilege
of continuing in office, and neglect the
very duties which he is sworn to per-
form. If he is charged with crime OF
malfeasance IN Office, he cannot swear
witness and bring details of evidence
before the people. He may be the
victim Of mere prejudice stirred up
by designing men. 1t is fair TO force
him to spend his own money and ms
Official time in writing for the news
papers and making speeches? II ne
is & criminal, the courts are open. II
he has disappointed his supporters, 1t
lis only a few months more till the
regular elections. We have had fierce
Ilv-fought contests in primary cleo
ltjone. Complaint is made that candl-
dates spend too much money. II we
have The recall, it means that We may
have twice as many elections and
greater e. pense. Under present ar
rangernents most of the issues are po-
IIitical. With the recall personalities
would increase, and contests become
more bitter. We now have the recall
every TWO years in the opportunity TO
re-elect. yet our observation shows
that The bad officers make the hardest
fight and are Usually reelected, while
good c4e4is refuse to enter the dis
agreeable contests.
The STATE would be in constant
turrnos}. Ore election would not be
closed ontil plans would be made for
othere. Instead of the recall we