Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-21
THREAT TO ABOLISH
GOVERNORS OFFICE
Socialists Say Williams
Must Submit ''Fair
Election Law

SptCldl 10 ne W orlu
OKLAHOMA CITY. April 20. -
Movement to abolish the office of
governor might be among the posi-
Dilities in the event the chief eXecu-
tive refuses to submit the fair elec-
ton law initiated by the Socialists ut
the primary election in August, ac-
cording to a statement given out here
today by Pat Nagle. The petitions
have already been filed and no pro-
test has been raised, but Mr.. Nagle
asserts that he takes the hint from
an article appearing in a local weekly
publication written by Senator Bar
rett that the governor may refuse to
submit the proposed election law to
the people and assume some consti-
tutional defense.
Such drastic measures as Mr.. Nagle
intimates may not be necessary, as he
suggests, but that the Socialists are
prepared to carry on such a campaign
he claims. Governor Williams has not
publicly stated that he would not al
low the proposed election law to be
submitted to the people, but the ar
ticle referred to by Mr.. Nagle was
written by the press agent of the
Democratic publicity bureau which is
conducted by the administration. of
which Governor Williams is head.
Makes Statccmnt.
Mr.. Nagle does not believe. so far
as his information goes, that the So
cialists election law is going to be
submitted and his statement relative
to that proposition follows:
I'm an article in the last number
of Harlows Weekly 1t is intimated by
Senator Barrett that the governor in
tends to set aside the constitutional
provisions, which require him to sub
nit the fair election law" initiated
Icy the Socialists to Il vote of the peo-
pie at the August primary election.
which is the first election to be held
throughout the state.
The article further intimates that
the governor intends to justify his
action by hiding behind the provisions
of a legislative measure passed by
the recent extraordinary session. This
act is a nullity, as it cannot change
constitutional provisions.
at is the plain wish of the people
to vote on the fair election law at
the August primary. There may be
no way to force the governor to obey
| the constitution. The courts cannot
mandamus him and the right of recall
cannot be used against him. But the
people are not entirely barred from
remedy They cannot recall the
| governor Dut tnty can dbollSI tHe
office of governor and create the Of
fee of chief executive through con-
stitutonal means and thus remove
| Williams from office.
Might Take Action.
Il do not know whether the So
calsts would be inclined to apply
| such drastic action. as the Socialist
party has not yet considered this
phase of the struggle between the
people on the one hand and the Will
liams machine on the other hand. But
one thing ! do know: The Socialist.
are determined to fight for the rights
of franchise, and in this struggle i
may become necessary to oust vii
liams from office and we have the
power and votes to do it, The con
stitution gives the people this righ
and they may determine to use it
Such constitutional enactment coulC
provide for the lieutenant governor
or any other person to assume th'
duties of the governor"