The log cabin Democrat., 1912-08-19
ADVISES DEFEAT
 OF RECALL LAW
MEASURE IS DANGEROUS
DIR. A. c. MILLAR POINTS OUT OBJECTIONS TO INITIATIVE
 AMENDMENT.

| Western Methodist, pr. A. c. Millar, president of Hendrix College, points out his objections to the constitution al amendment providing for the re- call, which he charges is dangerous measure and one which deserves de- feat at the polls in September. The first editorial in the series appears below:
 "As our readers well know, we stand for government by the people We believe in Democracy. It tends to educate and develop men. For this reason We have heartily and consist ently championed the initiative and referendum, and We rejoiced when the principle was incorporated into the constitution, and again we rejoic- ed when our supreme court stripped the amendment of its absurdities which were intended to discredt and nullify it. We believe that finally the principle will be applied under appro- 1 piidIC tSS u dllS Ol GCuH- ties and municipalities where no state law forbids. Now we are asked to ap- prove the recall of officers, to adopt a constitutional amendment under which by petition any officer from justice of the peace to supreme judge and from constable to governor may. in few months after his election, be forced to fight merely to retain his office We are urged to adopt this because it is labeled Democratic. At 1 first thought the principle appeals to the lover of popular rule, but sober consideration suggests difficulties which make the recall terribly dan gerous. 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 be composed of majority of the citizens and it's fury may rep resent the real feeling of the people under great excitement. But do 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- ble the crime avenged.
 There are good reasons for the adoption of laws by the initiative. It gives time for discussion, time to study conditions. A legislature some times passes an important law hasti- ly, almost secretly, and, without the initiative or referendum, it stands and works perpetual injustice.
 'In the case of an officer, it is diff ferent. 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 by some of his friends, whom he has not pleased, and they uniting with his former enemies petition for 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 or witness and bring details of evidence before the people. He may be the victim of mere prejudice stirred up by designing men. It is fair to force him to spend his own money and his official time in writing for the news papers and making speeches? If he is criminal, the courts are open. If he has disappointed his supporters, it is only few months more till the regular elections. We have had fierce |ly-fought contests in primary cleo tions. Complaint is made that candi- dates spend too much money If we have the recall, it means that We may have twice as many elections and greater expense Under present ar engagements most of the issues are po- litical. 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 hat the bad officers make the hardest fight and are usually reelected, while good officers refuse to enter the dis agreeable contests.
 "The state would be in constant turmoil. One election would not be closed until plans would be made for others. Instead of the recall We