Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-07-21
Record Crowd
Want Offices
in Oklahoma Field

-OhlduOIIld lily, Ohld., Qly ~
With Nonpartisan League issue
drawing especial attention to the
contest for the democratic nomina-
ton for governor, voters Of Oklahoma
are preparing to register their pref
erence for all state officers August /
i'll a statewide primary. A larger
number of candidates are in the field
than ever before in the history Of the
state.
The Nonpartisan issue arises from
charges made against J. C. Walton,
mayor of Oklahoma City and a can
didate for the democratic nomination,
who has been endorsed by the Farm
er-Labor Reconstruction League or
ganization formed at a joint conven-
ton OF the Oklahoma State Fedora
tion Of Labor and two groups of
farmers. Walton's opponents assert
that the Reconstruction League is
the Nonpartisan League under a new
name, and that Walton is attempt
ing to use the prestige of the demo-
cratic party to sweep the reconstruc-
tionists into power. The issue has
caused the campaign to take on un-
usual importance.
Walton is opposed by Thomas H.
Owen, former justice of the state su-
preme court, and r. H. Wilson, state
superintendent of public in3truction.
All are making vigorous campaigns.
The platform adopted by the Re-
construction eague and upon which
Walton agreed to run included the
following planks: endorsement: of the
Plumb plan for control of the rail-
roads. approval of public ownership
of various utilities and the printing
of all school text books by the state,
opposition to reduction in the
wages of railroad employees, condem-
nation of compulsory military train
ing and demand that war profiteers
be compelled to pay the nations mil
itary debt.
Wilson and Owen have advanced
no outstanding principle in their
platforms. Each. however, has rec
commended changes in the state bank
ing system designed 10 strens tiIen
the guaranty feature and safeguard
member banks.
Next to the Wilson Walton Owen
centers in the congressional contests,
in which all present representatives
are candidates for denomination.
Observers are watching especially the
second and eighth districts. These
are represented respectively by Miss
Alice Robertson of Muskogee and
Manuel Herrick of Perry. Both Miss
Robertson and Herrick were elected
in the republican landslide of 1920
and observers agree that stubborn
opposition faces them in their efforts
for denomination.
This is perhaps the first time in the
history OF the second district that
republican primary has attra ted
more than nominal interest. Until
1920 the district was regarded by the
democrats as one of their strong
holds. 1t is said that Miss Robert
sor is perhaps the only candidate in
the primary who is obliged TO take
lIto consideration the womens vote.
Considerable opposition is said to
nave been voiced by women of her
district to her attitude on various
matters OF legislation affecting wo,n-
Ell and children.
Herrick was nominated without op-
position in 1920. The lack of an op-
ponent resulted from confusion incl
dent to double election in the dis
trict, one to fill the unexpired term of
DICK T. Morgan, deceased, and the
other for the regular term. Several
candidates who filed for the unex-
pired term with the intention Of serv-
ing through the regular term also,
tailed to make double filling until
after the time limit had expired.
J.. NJ. Gensman of Lawton, repre-
sentative from the sixth district. is
unopposed for the republican re-
nomination. Contests will occur in
all other districts. -.
Observers are giving little atten-
ton to the nomination for governor
on the republican ticket, it being the
opinion OF politicians that John
Fields, editor of farm paper pub
lished here, will get the nomination
over George Healy. a retired farmer
and stockman of Beaver. Neither is
making campaign.
Including candidates for the state
legislature and for district and su.
perior judgeships, nearly 1000 names
Will be placed on the state ballots ~
the two major parties. One hundred
and sixty will be on the two tickets
nominated by statewide vote. In ad-
dition, all county officers will be
named.