The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1914-10-08
Reviews Democrats Policies Since
Statehood and Compares Them
With Republican Policies and Re-
sults-Nails John Fields AS the
Candidate of the Stand-Pat Repub-
licans-Te11s Voters There will Be
Rigid Economy in Every State De-
partment When He Is Governor

Clinton, Okla, Oct. Judge Rober
a.. Williams, democratic candidate TO
lgovernor, formally opened his cam
lpaign in speech at this place las
might in which he carefully reviewed
Estate issues and outlined his position
ION questions of the day. Judge VIII.
bliams spoke as follows.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies'. Gentlemen
Fellow Democrats:
Not since the representatives Of the
democratic party in this state wrote its
state constitution has the democracy
been charged with greater responsible
lities. No state ever came into the un-
ion under more anomalous conditions
THE older states were admitted before
development In population or resourc-
es The result was that the statutes
fand administration OF government
grew In natural harmony and automat-
hcally fitted in with the development
and settlement of the state. Oklaho-
ma was kept out of the union until
she had million and a half popula-
nion and great commercial develop
ment; in such respect being far in the
lead of score Of states long in the
union.
The Republican Party FaithIess to the
People.
The republican party being in con-
trol of the nation since 1895 had had
effective political control of Oklahoma
and Indian Territories up to statehood
But 1t had not responded to the needs
and the conditions of the people. 1t
had permitted the public service cor
porations to exploit the people of the
two territories. No Judge could be
appointed on the federal bench in eth
er OF the two territories that the heads
OF the great railway systems travers-
Sng them were opposed to, and no leg
aslation was put through congress or
the territorial legislature pertaining
20 SAID territories without such spec
sal interests being unduly favored.
At first opportunity in the exercise
of local sovereignty the people sent
delegates to the constitutional conven-
ton of the democratic faith, because
they believed they would follow diff
iferent course. That convention as
sembled to write progressive consti-
tuition, not only to meet the needs or
the people but also to protect and pros
mote their interests. The difficulties
placed in their paths by the old repub-
Iican regime are well known. \ Plans
were set in motion, without avail to
prevent that constitution from being
approved by President Roosevelt-the
progressive leader.
The Democratic Party Faithful TO the
People.
Az to how faithful the agents or
democracy acted and labored in writ
ing that constitution time has Demon
.-FiaeA provisions put In Article
to regulate public service corpora
tions and railroads, now concededly
wise, places this state in the lead as a
progressive state. This agency has
saved the people of this state in the |
way of reduced freight rates, not to
say anything about the conveniences
that are afforded them, hundreds upon
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I herewith set out the rates on coal
from the representative points in the
different fields TO various points for !
the year 1907 Just prior to statehood.
and for the year 1914, showing the re-