The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-10
ROBERTSON SAYS
GOOD ROAD FIGHT
is JUST BEG UN
GOVERNOR THINKS BOND ISSUE
WAS DEFEATED BECAUSE
VOTERS HADN'T STUDIED

Oklahoma City May 9,-Members OF
Oklahoma City "Wednesday to canvass
the result of Tuesdays good roads bond
election, We're AT a loss to explain the
delay in receiving returns. No returns
We're received yesterday and it was
: doubtful II sufficient reports would be
received today to make it worth while
to start the canvass. II is probable
that the official canvass will be delayed
until Saturday.
Nothing Of AN official nature was
learned that would throw light upon the
probable plan of action TO secure good
roads construction in the near future
In Oklahoma city it has been proposed
that a county bond issue be submitted
to finance the building of hard surfaced
roads within the county.
Governor Robertson gave out the
following statement.
1T appears from newspaper reports
that the good roads bond issue has been
defeated. Naturally lam disappointed
but | am not discouraged. No great
movement calculated to develop the
state and increase The general prosper
ity of the people can fail because Of
temporary defeat such as this Is. Peo.
pie, however have spoken with refer.
ence to this measure at this time, and
| accept the result without a murmur,
because j have faith in the people, and
Tor the further reason that this is a
government of majorities and when the
people have expressed their opinion on
any question At the ballot box, / do
not criticise their Judgment
II have spent much time endeavoring
to carry out my party platform pledges. .
and the recent Legislature has come
nearer carrying Out every prediction
promise than any legislature in the
past.
GOOD roads were advocated by every
candidate in the last primary, as well
rs the last general election. Ev,-ry
political party since Oklahoma was a
Lerritory pledged its candidates to Sc
'ure good roads for Oklahoma. II is
patent fact that up to This good day
We have failed to secure such roads /
investigation led me TO believe that
he only way by which we could ever 3
ecure good roads was by means of a ,
ond issue.
Iaklng advantage of the experience r
older states, 1 proposed the amend. l.
lent 10 the legislature where it met h
18th practically the unanimous endorse. =
lent and support of every member.
he only mistake that was made as ~
ow s. e 1t was the short time allotted i'm :
men TO make campaign. | firmly h
siieVe that If We could have had thirty ~
iys longer the ann ndment would have :,
arried II
Inc proponents of the measure have -,
zen busy the past three or four
lohths preparing the bill, and did >,
ot make an active campaign among >,
ie people until the past few weeks. =,
eleVing that they were already in l.,
'rmeu, and that they would gladly
van themselves of any good method =
rat would take Oklahoma out of The
I'D.
Inc opponents of the measure have
zen busy all the time making an i
tive campaign, and unfortunately did
u cohllne their efforts to honest dis ;,
isslon of the proposed amendment, u
II succeeded in poisoning the minds
the people ON many phases of road
akinS that were not contained in or
nhmplated by, the amendment and
result the people We're not given IT
opportunity TO learn of the provis. re
ms OF the measure, and the natural De
utude OF an uninfformed man is to uh
t negatively.
me measure was lost, not because
the opposition Of the Daily Okla. We
man or Senator Thomas or Campbell iiil
issell' but simply because the people ca
re not given adequate time or oppor. pre-
nlty to study and discuss the PRO. res
'ions OF the BILL The campaign. how. IL
er' mas been lasting value and uo'
neflt to Oklahoma, and our efforts