The broad ax., 1913-04-05

ty, and have the night to settle its Owl
political affairs in its own political
way. That is what 1 mean by County
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS county home rule
FIRM FOR THE DOCTRINE.
"HOme rule is a part of my Politi
cal religion. shall stand firm fol-
this doctrine. In the future, as in
the past, shall adhere tenaeiously to
the principle of local self-government
civil and political A denial of this
fundamental right is an indictment OF
American patriotism, and an arraign'
ment Of the intelligence Of our citizen
ship.
NO INTERFERENCE, SAVE FOR
THE COMMON VEAL.
"The people can count ON me as the
Governor of the State not to inter
fere with home rule in any locality if
can possibly avoid it. Certainly
1 shall do all in my power to pre-
vent others from doing it. If I do in,
terfere, directly or indirectly, it must
be for the good of the general welfare,
and then only in a case that rises far
superior to local considerations and
for the good of the common veal.
COUNTY AUTONOMY POPULAR.
$50 my friends, for these reasons, as
the Governor, 1 shall stand firmly and
souarely for County Autonomy in all
political matters; and am determined
to recognize the political rights of the
counties in every part of the State,
through their duly constituted county
committees. AS 1 view it the people
of the State irrespective of political
affiliations are entitled, by virtue of
the law on the statute books, to
County Autonomy in every county,
without interference directly or indi-
rectly from any other county. If there
is anything in home rule, then County
Autonomy is inherently right, and
must of political necessity be popular
with the masses, because the voters,
under the law, elect the county com
mitteemen; and the county committee
men therefore represent the people.
As believer in direct primaries, this is
the only way, so far as 1 can see, to
have home rule in the politics of a
county, and thus keep people in one
county from meddling with the pOliti-
cal rights of the people in another
county.
A SOURCE OF WEAKNESS.
"No one need tell me the obsta-
cles and the difficulties that confront
a public official in the distribution of
the offices. 1 am no novice. Politics
to a very large extent is government;
and government in the same ratio is
politics. know political patronage is
always a source of weakness. About
nine-tenths of my time is taken up
with public duties concerning the gen
eral welfare, and about one-tenth is
occupied in listening to appeals of Of
fee seekers and trying to distribute
fairly, the very few offices 1 have at
my disposal for the best interest of
the general welfare. AS a. matter of
fact wish all places were in the CLASH
fed service, or that had no positions
to bestow. 1 would be happier, and
make fewer enemies; and 1 know I
am making enemies every day-bitter
enemies-beeause 1 cannot see my way
clear in the performance of my duty to
give men who seek Office the places
they desire.
THE TEST FOR OFFICE.
"Of course in making appointments
1 will listen to the suggestions of all
good citizens, and carefully consider
the recommendations of the county
committees, but in the end must in
sist that 1 shall be the judge of the
qualifications of the applicant; that
the applicant must be honest; that he
must be capable; that he must be eff
fcient; and finally that he must be
faithful to the best interest of the
people of the State. Public Office must
be a public trust. That is the test.
In the performance of my duty have
no friends to reward; no enemies to
punish; no ambition to crafty; no ma
chine to strengthen; no organization to
build up. That is all there is to it
and it is all so simple-if you want
to do right.
MY DEMOCRACY.