The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-06-28

million dollars worth of cotton an
rually that is converted into the
state institution, as was done in Ohio
and several other northern states. In
that manner would the convicts be
utilized to lift part of the burden of
! taxation from the citizens of the
state. Mr.. Williams stated that in
making his announcement relative to
his policies toward penal institutions
! he was not Offering criticism to the
officials now governing them, as
there was no law enacted yet to give
| the desired relief, but if he was
made governor he would see that
such law was enacted and relief to
that extent granted to the taxpayers
OF the state.
Mr.. Williams stated that some had
said such a system would come in
conflict with free labor. He said he
did not think SO; the taxpayers will
get value received for every dollar
expended for the maintenance of the
prisons in the way of good roads, 10y
the income derived from the farm
and by the manufactured articles
needed at the penal institutions made
by the prisoners within the walls that
now have to be purchased. The law
rlyc- Itt11t In nth rtn
without coming in contact with free
labor and he maintains that it can
ard will be that way in Oklahoma.
In speaking of the treatment of
prisoners, Judge Williams said that
he believed in being humane, but he
also Believed that when a man was
sentenced to the penitentiary for a
crime he ought to be made to feel
that it was a disgrace and not an
honor conferred upon him, and that
his sentence should be fulfilled ac-
cording to the mandates of the courts.
He stated that he did not wish to
be understood as being despotic and
cruel, he believed that if a man was
entitled to a pardon or parole, and
the records were such as to bear out
his plea, he should have it, but no
man was entitled to either because
he CHANGED to have power-political
or financial friends-any more than
fhn H.vifhn,,t
Judge Williams elected applause
when he announced that he had TO
conscientious scruples against capi
tai punishment, and that, when
court had pronounced the death Pen
atty, unless some mighty good reason
was forthcoming, the condemned had
better begin to make peace with his
Maker. Commenting upon this, he
said: when the sentence of death
is assessed by the jury or by The
trial court and judgment rendered
thereon, and such judgment is affirm
ed, it will not be disturbed by me,
as governor Of the state, unless
after a hearing, it shall be made to
APPEAR that executive clemency
ehould be exercised. Under no cir
cumstances will | put up my indi-
vidual judgment against the policy
of law as declared by the people"
In speaking of the cost of rne
courts to each county in the state,
Judge Williams stated that there was
a remedy for such conditions, and
If elected governor, would endeavtr
to have the remedy applied BY
this remedy material reduction in
the cost of the courts wonld occur
without in the least hampering JUS
tice. One instance he illustrated as
follows: Require the parties to an
action within a specified time after
thescase is at issue to enter of record
whether a jury is demanded. If
such demand IS not made within
slecified time, let that constitute a
waiver and the case entered on the
ncn-jury docket by the clerk. By this
means the expense of a jury is dis
pcnsed with for a greater part of
the term of court. In cases wherc
jury trials are demanded, jury fee
should be taxed against the losing
party to be collected as other cost
Ia nearly every state in the union
a Jury fee is taxed as a part of the
cost. Many states collect this fee
in advance. BY this process the ex-
pense of the court, by means of tax
alton, would De greatly reduced.
In conclusion, Mr. Williams stated
that he realized that he was con-
fronting a mans job In asking TO
be governor and bringing about
these needed reforms, but he stated
thar he did not propose to do it all
alone. There were plenty of good
men in the state whom he could