The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-01-10
Patriotism Also Plays Big Part in Session
of State Democratic Central Com.
mittee, Says Chairman
MELTON'S SPEECH
IN PAMPHLET FORM
Sent TO All Committeeman; Praises Con-
gress in Preparing for War; Touches
Council Of Defense

That harmony and patriotism was
the keynote of the meeting of the
state Democratic central committee
in oklahoma City, was the statement
of Alger Melton, chairman of the COM
mittee, upon his return to Chickasha
A resolution was passed ordering
Mr.. Melton's speech printed in pam
phlet form and sent out to all the
precinct committeeman throughout
the state In his speech Mr.. Melton
praised the work of the members of
congress regardless of their party af-
filiations for the service they had
rendered the country during the
strenuous times and urged that the
Democratic party lend its best efforts
to help win the war He declared in
favor of the prompt action taken in
providing a law whereby the soldier
could vote, though he could not be
pres ent at the polls in person. The
resolution committee which adopted
part of the speech passed over that
part which recommended that the
committee urge the legislature to
adopt the prohibition amendment To
the federal constitution.
Mr.. Meltons speech, in part, fol
lows:
Gentlemen of the Committee;
Since our last meeting conditions
in state and nation have SO changed
as to cause us to think more about
the common defense and general vel
fare and less about politics and po
litical affairs. The entry of our coun-
try into the great world war has di-
rected our attention from self and
party interests to the interests of the
nation and all its people, This atti
tude of the American people has been
fairly demonstrated in the national
congress where. the war program of
the administration has received the
unqualified support of the patriotic,
loyal members of that body, regard
less of party affiliation. For such
support and for their cooperation
with the commander in chief of the
army of the republic, these men
should receive the commendation of
all true Americans.
"The legislature at its last session
adopted many wholesome laws, one
of which | call to your attention. An
act providing that in time of war,
qualified electors of the state, serv-
ing in the army or navy of the Unit
ed States, or in the actual military
service of the state, may vote at
general, primary or special elections,
without presenting his ballot in per
son to election officials. The act
provides in detail how the soldier
shall cast his ballot, and in my opin-
ion is sufficient under all circum-
stances. The legislature is to be
congratulated upon the prompt en-
actment of this law, and the friends
of each soldier, as we'll as the polit-
ical organizations in the state, should
see that he is advised of his right to
vote, although he may be across the
seas, and should render such aid and
assistance as the act contemplates.
"The state and county councils of
defense authorized by congress are
doing great patriotic work in con-
nection with the prosecution of the
war When these councils were au-
thorized many state legislatures made
appropriations for their support.
There has been no session of the leg
islature in this state since their APP
pointment, and therefore it has been
necessary to mainatin these organi-
ztaions by voluntary subscription.
The governor of the state called at
tention of the public to these condi-
tions and suggested that he would
recommend to the legislature an ap-