The Green Forest tribune., 1913-01-17

IL IS the chle1 aim or every state ana That justice shall prevail,
 And all men in the world shall have
 their own;
 For there where justice rules
 All men enjoy their property secure; And over every hearth and every home Law watches with an angels eye"
 The public credit and the good name of Arkansas are among the most impor- tant questions which invite our atten- tion. Elections must be freed from the corrupting influences which in the past have sometimes threatened to defeat charitable institutions demand and must receive liberal and loyal maintenance Controversies between executive and the legislature have heretofore sometimes prevented cooperation and occasioned vindictiVeness and retaliation. Neither justification nor necessity exists for such disputes. Their only result is to embarrass the state and to becloud it's name. Whatever causes and influences, whatever motives and purposes may have prompted and inspired such condi- tions. let them be abandoned. We can, and therefore let us say we will, work toeetl!er for the upbuilding of the state. each within his own sphere having due regard and respect for the rights and privileges of others
 The policy of an administration Is manifested not only by the purpose and enacted. It is also eXemplified by the manner and spirit in which existing laws are executed. The existence of good order in any community depends largely on the spirit in which the laws are observed by it's citizens and en- forced by the executive when violated. The executive rarely keeps pace with the legislative power. While many foolish laws have been passed, both by Congress and by various state legis- latures still. if uniform enforcement of the law occurred, good order would pre- vail in every state and throughout the in, of hn loh |. The executive has no discretion to en- force a law which reapproves and to disregard another which his judgment may condemn. His duty is to enforce all laws alike, none more, none less than others.
 The importance of law enforcement is always paramount. Lynchings and mobs are the fruits of lax and negligent ad- rninistrations. It is true that crime and vengeance are as old as humanity; that in spite of laws and penalties, Tn defiance of prisons, gallowses and gull lotines violence has disputed society through all the ages. Nevertheless, primitive modes of punishment must be denounced and all the power which we possess exerted to secure the orderly determination Of all causes. Ideal com monwealths in which corruption never perverts justice and mobs never defy the power of law. have never existed. and perhaps will never be estab1shed' Yet the highest concern which can en- gage our activities is that all shall be equally responsible to our laws, and all enjoy their equal protection
 The pardon power. perhaps the most powerful prerogative with which the executive is vested, must not be de based as an instrument of favor It should be invoked and exercised only for the sake of justice. reasonably sea soned with mercy. When the ends of justice have been met. when the guilty has paid the just penalty for his crime when society has been protected. when TEriJ jenl nT Uhan itv will otherwise result. the power to pardon should be exercised, Political influence. social prestige, or wealth must not weigh in the balance. Justice good order and the peace of society free from selfish considerations alone should inspire the executive to pardon. If abuses exist in our convict system, let them be at once investigated and cor rected
 What use is the expenditure of public money in criminal trials; why organize courts, erect prisons and empanel Jurles, if the pardon power is to be used to thwart the ends of justice
 No surer way of promoting progress can be found than to hold sacred every law for the protection of life' liberty
 Sn executive wsro properly regards his duty will nct'assume to judge what laws sha!i Dc enforced. He will strive in honor and good faith to enforce them
 With every new administration con troversies concerning patronage arise The executive who abuses his trust by using the appointment power merely to reward his friends and punish hls enc mics stands on the same low plane with him who, in the hope of concluding oP- position turns his back in base 1ngratl- tude upon his friends and smiles in fla vor on his adversaries. The practice of rewarding political supporters by ap pointment to office, while pefhapS not generally condemend sometimes en- ceurages false and exaggerated claims. Disappointments are inevitable. com paratively few of those who deserve the demand for office always exceeds the supply of places.
 pointing power cannot be maintained IL qualified are chosen. The interest or the many is paramount to the wishes or the few No man is worthy to be gov ernor who cannot rise above that cun- ming which habitually prostitutes pup lie duty to selfish ends
 How often has mediocrity thus crawl ed from obscurity to paint it's own pie ture for the gallery or renoWn, its onn or Solid i'd bust to pedastal in the hall of fame
 Gigantic tasks await the incoming ad, ministration. Patience, courage ana ne fort is expected. Achievement is de- manded. Let responsibility rest where 1t belongs on those who fail to do their duty.
 The legislative function of chief ex- exutive is merely advisory, suggestive. It is of course. not mandatory. The General Assembly may accept executive recommendations and enact them, or re- ject the governors advice and find it's own solution of public problems. The people have the right to require the combined action of every department They are concerned primarily with re- suits. Conscientious efforts by the eX- ecutive and the legislature will prompt ly correct existing abuses If better ways and means than those now pro pointed if they are adopted?
 Only by cooperation between the leg lslature and the governor can success be had. Let us confer together earnest 1y sharing in just proportion the re- sponsibflites which attend our respect i've offices. and dividing the honors which will result from this wise course Then will a just if new policy prevail in Arkansas politics Every officer will set himself diligently to his task bear ing the shame of his failures and inf ibdelity and enjoying with the public the fruits of his own usefulness
 Then He who rules us all will open to the world the gates of a new empire. rich with opportunities, and through the portals of golden dawn will come to join us they who will help to build and strengthen home, and church, and school and state. and we will leave behind us when we pass a record that will bless the state as long as 1t endures.
 Washington.-Co investi- gation of the New Haven Grand Trunk