The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-09-28
WHAT OF THE LEGISLATURE?

The state machine gave evidence or where its
heart lies when at the recent rendezvous OF the
democratic politicians in Oklahoma city Gov
ornor Robertson directly disagreed with other
speakers as to the paramount issue in the
Hampagn.
lie thought stresqng the league Of nations as
an Issue a mistake. he thought there we're
moro important matters than even electins a
democratic senator or carrying the state for
Cox. It was Governor Robortson's opinion that
the paramount consideration in this campaign
from tho democratic standpoint Is to eloct a
working majority of the legislature.
For reasons that TO him easily apparent
First, there In important legislation pending
namely. to put over the $4,000 900 road bond
ISSUE also that a legislature favorable to tho
machine be In charge of redistributisg the state.
IL is but fair to the governor TO say that his
speech made profound impression on the
politicians foregathered. and that scores have
come to agree with him. Mr.. Ferris, 1t is hoped.
will manage to get himself elected. but the
underlying motive OF the machine until election
day will be to elect a Legislature amenable to
tho machine influences and purposes.
Thcro is no denying that this is vastly i'm
portant matter to tho governor. but II Is of vast
importance to the citizens OF the state that It
be prevented His own partlsans charge that
the administration OF j. b. A. Robertson has
been committed from the first to n scheme
hatched IN the fertile brain of a certain okla
homa city banker who was financially instru-
mental In electlng ]. b. A. Robertson. That
scheme given form in the $50 O0O, 900 road
bond ISSUE II failed
Then the governor, acting no doubt under the
inslstcnt demand OF those behind him, brought
forward his $7500O.Oo0 road bond issue He
announced that he would force Its submission
The answer TO this impudent defiance OF public
opinion was an avalanche OF editorial dis
approval and tho declaration OF the republican
party against It.
There the issue stands. The bourbon ma
chino Is for the road bond issue which is pri-
marily In tho Interest OF a banking coteriO
whose leader has admission TO the executive
office at any hour of tho day or night: the
republican party Is against the road bond issue
and against the banking clique which spon-
sors 1t.
The people Of the state should make no mis-
take concerning the Importance OF electing leg
islators. No matter how clean and decent dem
ooratic candidates may be the fact remains that
they will be utterly useless to their localities
unless they submit TO and join the bourbon
machine. Such legislators will be incapable of
either protecting their constituents against tho
graft raid proposed rendering them construc-
tive service in general legislative matters
on the other hand, republican members Of
the legislature pledged by their party pro-
nounccment on the issue to oppose the graft
raid. And that is the biggest issue in Okla
| homa at this time. In the last legislature the
| republicans supported tho road bond bul--to
| their everlasting discredt They have the ex-
! cuse that their party had not at that time
taken pronounced position. That excuse viii
no longer avail. And II republican momber
! OF the next legislature is discovered supporting
tho bourbon machine in this matter no matter
! how much favorable legislation he is offered,
he viii be scourged from state politics. That
! is not a threat, but It is a warning.
There is no question but Governor Robertson
and his associates willing TO lose everything
but the legislature. The electors OF the state
! will show themselves incapable OF keen dis
crmnauon for their own interests II they vote
to give the bourbon machine strength enough
| to put over another road-b issue. For II II
is again submitted the machine Is prepared to
take the necessary steps to have It carried
regardless OF the number Qt votes east against IL