The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-09-18

fact be conclusive evidence that 1t is
not sincere in its platform declara-
lions at this time? II you say 1t Is
then what do you propose to do with
the republican party? The history
of that party until, it became popular
to advocate prohibition, had been one
of consistent opposition to the tenn
perance cause, and, as matter OF
fact, had never advocated or enacted
any temperance legislation at all, nor
has it done SO up to the present good
time. If | can not honestly be for
prohibition now because l have al.
ways supported my party organiza-
ton and voted for its nominees, how
can the present governor be honestly
and sincerely for prohibition now
when he has done exactly the same
thing?
Local option, as you call it, has
never been a democratic principle,
but only the means adopted at the
time to deal with a troublesome ques
ton. The first liquor law pion,Dfred
the sale of intoxicants at certain
places, and under certain circum-
stances, and was the first step to-
ward making Tennessee temperance
state, but it necessarily followed that
we must stop there because that law
seemed to be most expedient for the
time and under existing Circumstance
es; and that to extend it would be
undemocratic and the surrender of
democratic principles. State wide
prohibition laws were in existence
and were laws of the land before the
present republican party ever declar-
ed for such laws. But even If this
were not true<a and the republican par
ty was entitled to all the credit and
all the honor and all the glory for
the enactment of these laws, and a
majority of the people of Tennessee,
regardless of politics, believe in them,
is there anything in law, morals. or
principles forbidding the democratic
party, as an organization claiming
for, it's objects and purposes the well
fare and interest of the state and its
people to endorse that law and de-
clare for it's maintenance UPON the
statute books, and for It's enforce
ment by the courts of the country,
and because of this fact, can the
charge be truthfuily made that the
democratic party has stolen the prin
ciples of the republican party? What
would you think, anyway, of an at
tempt to rob the republican party of
a moral principle?
Il have had occasion to say, and
desire to repeat here, that there can
be no excuse or justification for any
officer clothed with power and charg-
ed with the duty of enforcing the law,
to wilfully fail or refuse to perform
the duties imposed upon him. Such
an officer ought not. be permitted to
retain his position, and thus dishon
or his robe of Office and bring shame
and disgrace to the people of the
community he was elected to serve,
and in order that there may be some
speedy. methods of deposing such an
officer a law should be enacted that
would empower some court of compe-
tent jurisdiction to speedily remove
that officer, after due notice to him
and an opportunity to be heard in his
own defense. In prohibition Kansas
they have what Is called the "ouster
law" believe, and as l understand
it, in that state power is conferred
upon the chief justice Of the supreme
court to remove delinquent officers
upon the complaint of the attorney
general. This power to remove Of
ficers who fail or refuse to discharge
their duty should not be con-
fined alone to municipal and county
officers, but should apply to state Of
ficers charged with enforcing the law
as well; for state officer who re-
fuses to do his duty is just as culpa-
BILE as a municipal or county officer,
and deserves the same treatment. In
disposing of these delinquent officers,
they ought to be dealt with by the
courts of the country, or recalled by
the people who elected them. when
this can be done; and the governor