El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-02
W0ITERS ATTACKS INITIBTIVE,REF
EHDUE And RECALL AS S0GIAUSTIC
Texas Anti Prohibition Candidate For United States
Senator Says They Should Be Driven Out Of the
Democratic Party-Is For Income Tax
and Would Elect Senators. by Di-
rect Vote of the People

answer for himself whether he would
feel that he could, under the proposed
system OF the Initiative and referen-
dun, so thoroughly fsmiliarize him
self with even any reasonable number
OF laws upon which he, as a voter,
might be called upon TO pass, as to
be sure Of the wisdom OF his vote.
either for or against such measures.
Theories are all well enough, but when
1t comes 10 the practical application
Of them we must take a practical view
Of matters I dare to say that few
men would spare the time from their
ordinary affairs to study such laws
before the day or election, sufficiently
to be able TO intelligently pass, not
only upon the principle involved, but
upon the details of the legislation sub
mitted.
Opposes the Recall.
4 am opposed to the application OF
the recall to our state and national
government Such a system would
produce constant strife and agitation
and multiply our elections to an in
terminable number. minority of the
voters, dissatisfied for any reason with
the actions Of any public officials can,
under the proposed system, file pc
Ution and bring on an election at any
time Under our present laws We
elect our state and county officials
b. with the exception Of judges of the
district and higher courts, every two
years. Certainly this affords ample
opportunity 10 recall any recreant pub
lie officials If any public servant
violates the laws, or is guilty of cor
ruptiOn, ample methods are provided
for his impeachment and removal from
office
The recall Of judges would mean
the abrogation OF the constitution. The
constitution was created by the people
for the preservation Of their rights
against the aggression of those tenn
porarily charged with the duties Of
government Under the recall system,
a Judge rendering a decision sustain
ing the constitutional rights Of citi-
zen, and If at the time popular opinion
should not be IN accord with that de-
cisiOn, he might be recalled and an
other elected to his place at the same
time, pledged to override the cOnstitu-
ton The very purpose Of creating a
constitution is 10 reserve to the indi-
Tidual citizens certain inalienable
rights from the aggression Of the ma
jOrity in periods Of public excitement
To now amend the constitution and
provide for the recall would be to ere
ate an instrument whereby the con-
stitutiOnal guarantee. Of the citizens
might be at any time abTOgated.
Election Of Federal Judges.
While I oppose an amendment to
our constitution providing for the re-
call OF public officials, I 10 favor the
submission and adoption of an amend
ment to the federal constitution pro-
Rod OF five years Of our federal
judges. do not believe that any man,
however able, however honest, should
be entrusted with life tenure OF office
IN a republican form Of government
If elected to the senate Of the United
States I shall support a resolution
submitting an amendment providing
for the election Of federal judges
The Call to Arms.
81 cali TO arms that small remnant
OF LOCAL Democrats who followed the
lion hearted Richard Coke through
files Of negro soldiers and state police
TO plant the flag Of an untainted and
unstained Democracy upon the ram
parts OF our government call 10
those multiplied thousands, who in the
passing of a generation have sustained
the faith Of the Democratic party
against the repeated Onslaughts Of its
foes, to rally once more around the
old flag and drive Socialism from
within the ranks OF Democracy, and
preserve the honor and purity OF the
principles of our party that guarantee
TO mankind a continuance OF a stable
government, securing equal rights TO
all; special privileges TO none