The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-11
THE DEMOCRATIC LODGE IN OKLAHOMA

the DEMOCRATIC LODGE IN OKLAHOMA
II should be clearly apparent TO every one
that there exists in Oklahoma a lodge" In the
democratic party that has controlled the des-
tlnles OF that Organization from the hour of
statehood Crucc fought II and lost. lie Joined
1t ana won. Since that time It has had no
conspicuous opposition. Robertson, the present
governor made gesture OF opposition. But
he Immediately became good" Joined the
lodge, and was agreed to as the residuary
legatee in turn for his support Of the ticket
which had outcountcd him.
The present orgy OF criminal defense and
association. corporation domination and per-
socution by turns, is the natural conseduence
Mon earn their promotion by services performed
to the underworld and invisible government
not through services rendered the state and the
people. Government has become not only in
tolerabiy expensive, but ntolerabIy corrupt and
inefficient.
The state has recently been shocked by a
would have or could have believed possible. The
state has recently heard a prominent state Of
ficial complain that during four years service
but one OF many defauting bankers had ever seen
inside Jail. and he was pardoned almost i'm
mcdiatcly
Now there cannot by any question but the
vast majority OF the citizens OF Oklahoma ir-
respective of party. are decent, self-rcspccting
lawabiding people, whose first wish is that
government should be clean, efficient and eco
nomicai. Why, then, does the democratic lodge
pander to the criminal and the corrupt? Why
does II defy the Just considerations OF the state
and play with and TO the pork barrel crowd?
How can they dare do that II the Majority OF the
citizens oppose such practices?
The answer IL that the major party has such
n majority, is 40 blinded by partisanisn. that
the worst element In the party can not only
make It's living off the taxpayers, but can set
up system that is entailed-that It can pass
on, from hand to hand
That and nothing else explains II.
Senator II. L. Davidson. who started the orgy
OF pardoning the other day is the states can
ddate to succeed Robertson. Just as Robert
son recognized Williams successor by
entail four years before tho event. no Davidson
has been recognized as Robcrtson's successor
by entail since the legislature was first organ
ised two years ago.
His exercise OF the pardonng power was but
n step forward toward his goal And despite
the seeming despite the defamation OF pro-
| test that came out OF Frisco and all the indig-
nation since expressed, he is today the candidate
of tho democratic lodge.
The situation is so grave that II must invite
! the careful attention OF every man and woman
| with home and family. Here and there a
| good man is nominated and elected on the major
! party ticket, I'VE must have able representa-
: ton in this county" they explain. And they
/ nominate a so-caled good man.
What can the individual do with a party or
Fani2aton skilled ana close Joined against him ?
! The good man" goes to the legislature or into
the county courthouse, and the first opportunity
| that comes to him is an invitation to Join the
| lodge. lie does Join or he fails utterly In
either event what progress has been made?
It is SO lamcntably simple, But the people
either refuse TO see the game or nro unwilling
To take tho only steps that remedy It,
There is nothing more pathetic In American
politics than TO SEQ the so-oalled decent and
! respectable element OF a party trying to re-
form corrupt organization whilo Il is at the
feed trough and flushed with authority. 1t has
mover been accomplished. Nor viii It ever be
| II simply cannot be done.
1t makes ro difference whether the party
be republican or democratic reform only comes
with dislodgmont from power. And it makes
no difference whether the party be democrat
or republican, continued tenure in office with
large majority bohind 1t, results in corruption
inefficiency and profgacy
We have not the slightest doubt>that eventu
ally the democratic lodge Will he completed,
dscrodited and driven from power. our cnr
uncertainty is when the people viii he read,
to do IT,
The difference between Roosevelt and tn