Iron County register., 1914-10-08

What would the voters in the ia
counties of Missouri think il the legis-
lature of the State were to pass law
giving the Governor power Of ap-
pointment of the sheriff of each coun-
ty, all of his deputies, every constable
and the city marshal of each town?
1t is needless to say the people as a
whole would rise up against such an
imposition of power. Naturally they
would resent it and yet this is precise
ly what is done in the selection of
police officials for st. Louis. If State
supervision is wrong for the people
in the counties of Missouri, it is wrong
ia the City of St. Mouis. That is why
voters in the State at large should
assist st. Louis in securing home rule.
This is an analogous comparison be-
cause the police in the city bear the
same relation to the people there that
the sheriff, his deputies and town
marshals bear to the people in the
country and the smaller towns. They
are the police power in their COM
munities.
Every citizen should vote to adopt
the bills passed by the last Legislature,
and which have been referred to the
people through the referendum.
Home rule in governing the St. Louis
police department is just as dear to
the taxpayers in that city as it would
be to the voters OF each county if the
question of appointment by the Gov
ernor of sheriff, the county court and
the town marshal would be up for
consideration. Give st. Louis the
right of self government, as possessed
by each county, by sustaining PROPOSE
ton No. IL.
OPPOSING ARGUMENT.
The opponents of Proposition No. Il
give the following reasons why il
it should be voted down:
All the voters who have an interest
| in their homes, in the protection ot
their property, in just distribution OF
taxes, and in the good name o 4 Mis-
souri,, should see that this law is de-
feated. 1t is most vicious. It's APP
proval would mean the enthrone-
ment of vice. It's apoption would
make it unsafe for sons and daughters
to visit ST. Louis. Peanut politicians
controlling ward politics would have
absolute sway in the appointment ant
discharge of the police forces. An
honest policeman that would report {
vicious den would Immediately bt
discharged. Under this law, the ware
boss would run his gambling games
and open Sunday saloons whenever
and wherever he pleases. Conditions
would he a stencil in the nOstrils O.
decent people. 1t this law be adopted
4 the political junta (regardless o
party) having control of the police
and excise would dictate the election
results in this State. Where polio,
and excise are IN controNnf men ap
pointed by liquor interests and war,
Il politicians, elections reek with fraud
ballot boxes are stuffed, and majoritie
rolled up as dictated by corrupt Of
ficers. Wherever vice and Grim
have political power, not only tn
good name but property values of th
State suffer.
Regardless of party, this measur
: should be defeated. The people o
the State will no longer tolerate tn,
the political cliques that control Stat,
nominations. Republicans dom
want corrupt cliques to control Stat
nominations, nor do Democrats, Pro
gressives or Socialists. The patriot
I voter Of every party In the interest G
fairness, honest and decency, shoul
defeat this proposition, as we'll a
|, proposition No. H.