The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-07-26


else the power and influence Of that
office to make an unwarranted, un-
Just and untrue attack upon a private
citizen in the heat of a political cam
paign, and in a vain attempt, on your
part. to influence and control the
nomination of your successor in OF
fee. Knowing you as | do | cannot
believe that you would have MADE
an attack of this kind deliberately
and of your own free will. You
were doubtless misinformed. 1t must
be that Jno. II. Williams, Dr. Mahr,
Ben Riley, the Robertson managers
and other politicians who are so
vainly, desperately lighting me and
seeking, with their office and influ-
ence, to nominate Judge Robertson
persuaded and influenced you IN
making this attack.
You know, governor, that you are
mistaken when you say that l have
attempted to coerCe or influence you
or the policies of your admlnistra'
ton. | may have cautioned or ad
yised you, but you no doubt realize
that you have persistently declined
the advice of those who are really
your friends and have acted upon the
suggestion of those whose purpose
fas been to gain some selfish end
or perpetuate themselves in power
and influence.
You say that You believe the gov
ernor should exercise his Office ana
influence in an effort to nominate MS
successor in office. You know that
a Joint discussion between you, as
governor of this state, and me, prl-
yate citizen aspiring to succeed you,
! would interfere in my campaign ana
result in you using all the power and
influence of your high Office, on the
stump, before the people of this state
to nominate Judge Robertson.
You say that Mr.. Parkinson, Dr
Newell, Mr.. Lankford and Mr.. Ham
mond are supporting me, and tha'
no political machine exists in thelf
office If this be true, they are CIV
ing me their voluntary support, with
out solicitation or promise, and am
/ grateful for their friendship. 1here
| are some men who refuse to become a
part of machine politics, who stand
out in the open and who believe ev
I erv man should cast his ballot free
from official influence.
| am making this race on my own
merit. My record as public ofhclal
in Oklahoma is a guarantee to the
people that | will put in force the
policies ! have advocated during TINS
campaign | am not relying on any
/ mistakes that you, as governor, may
have made. AS governor OF this state
/ would endorse, approve and con
{ tinue democratic policies inaugurated
| by you which, in my opinion, are
beneficial to the people of this state,
and | would endeavor to correct all
mistakes you have made.
You say in your letter that members
of the legislature spend their time
at my headquarters directing my cam
/ paign. You are misinformed No man
| connected with the management OF
/ my campaign has ever been can
| didate for or held a public office
in this state.
, | have at no time charged any per
son with graft or corruption, but
have said. and say now, that as gov
ernor of this state / would drive
every CRATER, embezzler and idlel
from state employment and institu
tions. If they are there | would tind
! them.- Il would not close my eyes tc
! the interests of the people of this
state and permit such conditions to
exist to favor or protect my friends
| You know that | hold no ill-will to
ward you or any man. I believe thai
when you have carefully read my
speech and then as carefully reat
your letter, and when you have search
ed your own heart and your own con
science, free from the influence, ad
vice and suggestion of politicians, yor
will realize that your letter was I'm
warranted, unjust, and untrue.
Sincerely yours,
u I