The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-08-25
Holding Honest Elections.

One of the stereotype charges which
the republicans and socialists con-
tinually make against the democratic
party in this state is that elections
are crooked and unfair, and that the
good men are counted out and the
bad men counted in This lie has
become so threadbare that it seems
remarkable that any sane man with
even a suspicion of political sense,
would any longer resort to it.
We have just held statewide pri-
mary election, participated in by prac
tically all the voters OF the state.
At this election important constitu-
tional amendments were submitted,
and the fight on these amendments
and on the state, congressional, dis
trict and county tickets was of suf-
ficient interest, and in many places
so closely contested, as to bring out
an even larger vote than will be cast
in the general election.
In all the state there have been
less than a dozen contests and in
every instance where disappointed
and defeated candidates have asked
for a recount and alleged that they
were Disseminated against by cleo
ton officers, either Intentionally or
ignorantly the recount has proved
the falsity of the charge. and most of
the contestants, like Congressman
Murray, have been led to announce
that they were mistaken and felt
called upon to compliment the cleo
ton officers, either Intentionally or
ignorantly, the recount has proved
the falsity of the charge, and most
of the contestants, like Congressman
Murray. have been led to announce
that they were mistaken and felt !
"alled upon to compliment the election |
for their efficiency and fair
ness. Not solitary instance has |
developed, in the nearly three thou |
sand precincts of the state, where !
any injustice has been done or any |
unfairness has been practiced.
And why should there be? Okla
homa has bipartisan election boards
in every precinct of the state where
'hree parties are represented it has
bipartisan boards of counters, and
10 man except a defeated candidate
who is a bad loser, or the leaders Of
Darty organizations that are so des-
7erate in their desire TO secure office
that they will resort to downright
lander and villainous defamation
would be guilty OF this indiscriminate
md continuous libel Of representa-
i've men in the majority and minor
0andidate had reason to believe that
Ne would win and the returns show
hat he has been defeated by only a
'ew votes, there is little reason for
"riticism when he asks in good faith
or a recount of the ballot, but when
he leaders of political parties that
"ck from thirty thousand to one hun
'rod thousand votes of defeating their
uccessful rivals. continuously malign
md slandor the victor by the charge
'' dishonest and unfair election meth
'ds, the charge grows more ridiculous
With each repetition.
The only dishonest, outrageous and
thoroughly vicious election methods
hot the people OF Oklahoma have
for a COED many years,
yas the conduct Of the republican
70 ~ctions in their congressional and
state conventions held this year to
-clect delegates to the national re-
convention. He'd such high
,ardrd and cold-blooded robberies
laen attempted at a democratic con- Z
-ontion. the war that would have re-
ulted would have continued until the !
Hiaves. and their apolog'sts were ex-
or driven from the state.