The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-03-13

and political freedom In the mani
fostation of your purpose to keep me
rs your Judge, | have all the time
been made to feel that it was your
desire that the laws should be en-
forced, that justice should be proper
ly and evenly administered. and that
no one could justly say that either his
property or his liberty We're illegally
in danger. have all the time keenly
felt the honor and distinction con
ferred upon me by your generosity,
and | can truthfully say that ! have
labored 2ealously and faithfully to
prove to you and to all that my sole
purpose was to so conduc, myself
personally and in the administration
of your laws in such way and manner
as to show an appreciation of the dig
nifty of the position and your conf
dence in enabling me to exercise the
duties of that position.
During the six years and four
months that | have served as your
district judge, | have endeavored in
all matters to try and have the cold
letter of the law conform to what was
right between man and man. In fact,
| believe that the broad rock of equi-
table Justice should be the resting
place of the peoples rights. and if in
the trial of matters, old precedents
that were established as the out
growth of feudalism demanded the
pound of flesh" in conflict or in
disparagement of what was Just from
an equitable standpoint between man
and man, that the eXactions of cruel
precedent should be ignored and the
law of human rights should come TO
the front and be kept there.
The record ! have made is there to
stay. | cant change it, and have no
desire to change it. That ! have com
mitted errors, | freely acknowledge,
and yet | have this consolation, that
if was an error upon the side of mer-
cv. and what ! believed to be exact
Justice. ! tried to have the humblest
citizen, in the adjustment of his rights
in the court house. feel that he stood
upon a level with lll others Of more
fortunate environments. ! have not
known any mans personal or political
complexion in the performance of jU-
dicial duties
Whoever in your wisdom, you may
select to succeed me in the discharge
of the duties imposed upou your dis
trict Judge. will meet with my abso-
lute appreciation. 1t is your right to
select whomsoeyer you please, ana
any one of the gentlemen yho are
aspiring to that Office will, / believe,
If selected TO assume its duties, dis
charge them faithfully and justly, and
please understand from me now and
that no vote cast in that
election will have any suggestion from
me. and whatever you do, will satisfy
me. ! say this, not only in justice To-
each of the gentlemen who are aspir-
ing to the position, whose duties !
have voluntarily laid aside, but in just
ice to myself, as I expect to remain
a citizen of this district, in hearty
accord with everything that concerns
the welfare and interest OF its people
Nv relations have been such with
YOU as to have grown into an intima-
,y that cannot be forgotten and should
not be and will not be.
In the discharge of the duties ! have
abored to perform, I have been help
ID by the kindly assistance, not only
If the people at large and officers Of
he district, but by my legal brethren
If the two counties, and elsewhere,
md for which I thank them.
The governor of this state, who
vas my neighbor for years before h.
,ecame governor, in the generosity OF
he friendship he has always felt for
me-. and because of his knowledge Of
mo- tandared me the commission OF