The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1912-08-22
RECALL OPPOSED
BY CONWAY MAN
PRESENT LAWS AMPLE
J. II. DUNN SAYS OFFICERS
WILL BE AFRAID TO DO
THEIR DUTY.

Sndll we nave the recall OF OIIlCtaLS
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 its effect it
concerns the organic law of the state
and introduces therein an innovation
that will bring momentOus altera-
tons in our official polity.
A casual examination of the law as
it now stands and the effect that the
proposed change will make, conyinces
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 wouid be
party, there would be no necessity
of the electors giving their serious
attention to this amendment.
1t is the effect it will have upon
the people that demands the most Sc
rious consideration.
The object of the change embodied
in an amendment to the constitution
submitted for our acceptance or re-
lection is TO adopt an easier and more
speedy and efficient method of calling
to account our public officials, max
ing them give an account of their
stewardship, relieving them of their
office, and substituting another Off
GER 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 1t seems to me that our pres
emf laws upOn that subject are ample
to meet any ordinary ntraction OF
duty. Under the present const'tu-
ton and statutes there are metHoos
by which all officers may ne removed
by proper authority Tor crimes ms
demeanors, maiteSaace' n.sIeasa3ee
and gross misconduct.
1t Is true there Is no mesaoo o.
reaching an officer toE- not pursuing
any Specl2i or pet Hhe OIL lot'oUeV'
which, IN my judgment is very "-S9
and eXpedlent. FoE' II d man $ Rod
ing to an office depends upon That 1t
would De precaHouS indeed SUBJECT
to the WhimS ana fluctuations OF
spun
gruntled hackers ("hich we always
have with u.s. constituting only one
eighth OF the voters Of the state or
county OF township or district mere
can always De louhu that many VINO
are dissatisfied ana VINO VIII become
tools OF the demagogue VINO seeks no.
torlety and some other mans ottlee
changes oIVe" occur l." Po.'''0@'
sentiment IN the community ana peo-
pie regret the way tneF voted ana are
only too anxious 70 get an emporium
lty to remove an othcer' "hich' IN my
judgment unless thefe are gfouhus
Tor his removal when "oulH SUBJECT
nm TO the process Of the la" as II