The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-10
Sunday, April 10, 1921.
LET LEGISLATORS DO THEIR DUTY

LEI LEGISLATORS DO THEIR DUTY
Reproduced below is an editorial from Sat
urday's issue of the Daily Okahoman, dealing
with the unfortunate political situation now
existing in Oklahoma, an unfortunate situa-
tion brought about through the connivance
of alleged leaders of the Republican party,
with alleged representatives of the common
people"
1t will be noted that the Oklahoman favors
the initiative and referendum as means of
providing for the states finances for the
ensuant two-years' period
While in most matters The Ardmoreite may
be prone to agree with its esteemed cOntem-
porary, the Okahoman in editorial analysis
and solution of many problems of paramount
interest to the citizens of this state, in this
matter, we feel that we must take issue with
the talented writer upon the states leading
daily newspaper
In doing this we are actuated by motives
which have the welfare of the general public
as the basis upon which they are builded.
While the editorial writer on the Oklahoman
is undeniably right when he afirms that the
last word of governmental affairs does not
rest with politicians, but with the people, and
while he is also equally and irrefutably right
when he says "the responsibility of the dis
graceful situation rests squarely upon the
shoulders of the Republican members of the
house at the same time there cannot be found
an existing emergency which demands that
the voice of the people in referendum vote
shall say whether or not the expenses of the
states government shall be properly financed
The members of the Oklahoma house of
representatives, Republicans as well as Demo-
Gratis, were elected to represent the people
of this great commonwealth. They were elected
to serve, not as moral scavengers and political
scandal mongers, but as "solons' who, worthy
the name, would vote for measures calculated
to protect the interests of all the people,
Democrats as well as Republicans, women and
men alike. They were elected to serve the peo-
pie, knowing in rendering this service, no polit-
ical lines or distinctions. They were elected to
conserve the welfare of all the people through
the conservation Of the welfare of the admin
stration. They were elected to provide a means
for financing the government for the next
biennial period. They were elected to expose
corruption in office, but not to become, them
selves, coTuptionists in processing to find NAL
feasance and dishonesty where none existed.
The members of the Oklahoma house of
representatives owe debt to the people of
Oklahoma, they owe duty to their constitu-
ency, debt and duty which the members
of the majority have lodged and evaded in the
most disgracefu and infamous manner, debt
and duty which they should be made to pay
The rank and file of Okahomas citizenry
have right to expect and right to demand
of the members of the majority of the Okla,
homa house that they pay this debt and dis
iUbf hf
enforced by checking the matter of providing
for the states revenues to the initiative
through carrying the matter to the people after
the house has so disgracefully fallen dowr
upon its duty
To carry the matter to the people lever
though we recognize the fact that the voice o
the people is the supreme law, under the eX
listing circumstances and surrounding condi
tons would be, while not exactly compoundinl
felony, condoning an offense-condoning al
offense committed against the peace and dig
nifty of the state of Oklahoma, an offense com
mitted against the best interests of the cti
zenry of Oklahoma.
A wagon cannot run without grease,
machine cannot operate without OIL hors
cannot pull the load or carry the burden un
less supplied with the fuel which nature de
mands The government of Oklahoma, fol
lowing the shameful unbecoming, dishonorabl
and dishonest action of the house of represen
tatives' majority in adiouning without havin
made proper provision for caring for the diff
ferent state departments during the next two
years period finds itself an old and rundown
wagon without grease, decrepit and battere
niece of machinery unprovided with lubri
cants. iaded. spawned, windbroken horse shu