The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-14
THE SOLDIER RELIEF BILL

While it is not only possible, but is
highly probable that the house of rep
resentatives of the Oklahoma legisla-
ture will make some sort of an effort
TO reconsider the vote by which
that body sent the soldier relief, or
hospital bill to its grave, on Friday
OF last week, and while it is possible
that the measure, should it be revived,
may be passed in the end, the fact,
disgraceful in the extreme, will stand
for all time as monument TO the
heartless lack of appreciation upon
the part of Oklahoma's house members
Of the services rendered by the brave
boys who left the farms, the shops,
the factories and went adross seas,
there to face death in all its dread,
mysterious forms that all men, even
the men who compose the rank and
file of the Oklahoma house Of rep
resentatives might continue to live
and prosper without fear of oppres-
sion from the hand of autocracy.
Time cannot wipe away the stain
of disgrace which the action Of the
house has placed as a blot upon the
escutcheon Of Oklahoma American
ism? No argument can be brought to
bear which can explain the reasons
advanced by some of those who voted
against the bill for their action. No
excuse which can possibly be rendered
can serve as an extenuation for the
crime committed-the crime Of forget
fulness of the deeds Of valor perform
ed by American soldiers, by oklaho-
ma soldiers.
When America entered the war and
the boys marched TO the enraining
points, starting off for the training
camps where they were to be turned
in units of the great var machine,
the bands blared the people stood
uncovered while the soft notes OF
America" filled the air. Then it was
that the orator, the spell-binder stood
upon the rostrum and platform and
in pulpit and talked of patriotism,
while the Stars and Stripes hung in
festooned waves overhead.
Then it was that every man who
stayed at home said that when the
war was over those who were spared
should be cared for, should be pro-
tected, should be loved with that
loyalty which only Americans can
give.
How different was the tale told in
the Oklahoma house Of representa-
tives on Friday. How different was
the talk OF money saving and economy
and fear that the government Of the
United States would not reimburse the
government of the state of Oklahoma,
that the national government would
not return TO the state the moneys
expended in caring for and nursing
back to health the men who had
gone down into the mouth Of hell
and shattered their constitutions that
the human race, members OF the Ok
lahoma house Of representatives in
eluded, should live rs free and equal
beings OF civilization. not as the pup.
pets OF despotism.
"Go to il, boys Give the Kaiser
nell. Wen take care OF you when
you get back" Such was the shout
OF acclaim when Johnny marched off
10 war.
"we can't afford 1t. The idea Is
preposterous. Some unworthy ones
might be nursed and brought back TO
health were we TO provide for this
hospital. The soldiers are expecting
TOO much" Such was the shout which
was woven between the breaths OF
each monosylabled NO." which helped
to defeat the hospital bill in Okla
homa Friday.
oh Consistency. thou are indeed a
jewel. But Thy name is not Politics"