The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-07-18
A Newspaper That Serves
RIDING TO RUIN

There was a meeting at the
,ourt house Saturday afternoon
IF Carter countyfolks who are in
crested in the candidacy of Jack
| Walton for governor OF Oklahoma
Many fiery speeches were made.
There was the usual flag waving,
! he usual sympathy for the work
; ing man and the man who labors
with his hands.
I Those men were sincere. The
farmers there were sincere. The
speakers were sincere. OF this the
Ardmoreite is positive.
They were home men, honestly
hoping for something better in
tate government The common pur-
pose OF those men was to make
times a little better, to get a bit
more for themselves-in short they
were earnestly striving for individ-
ual and collective happiness.
Times have been hard in Okla
homa. Business conditions have
Vbeen bad; life on the farm almost
1intolerable. 1t is a fact that farm
Iers haven't gotten what they are
1entitled to during the past few
wears. 1t is a further fact that So
Icalled big business must be checked.
That's the reason for a move
Iment like the Walton movement.
Hi could not flare into being under
lany other circumstances.
But about this meeting Satur-
day there were some singular fea-
lures. Not one OF the candidates
knew anything particular about
lack Walton. Where he hailed
iron, what he really stands for,
what he has done for farmers in
the past-these things were never
mentioned.
The speakers, the auditors. all
seemed to have an idea that about
the only thing necessary to switch
on the magic light OF prosperity
was to elect Jack Walton.
That was the unfortunate part OF
the meeting.
lack Walton. as a matter OF abb
solute fact, by his past life, by his
present circumstances, hasn't one
thing in common with the men who
were so interested in his candidacy.
And just ponder for a moment
upon the platform upon which he
stands. Glass taxation, state owner
ship Of public utilities and govern
ment operated banks.
Are the people so dense that
they do not realize what such a
platform will lead the nation into,
if put into effect;
All Of us want happiness just as
badly as the Jack Walton bunch.
but the rest OF us perhaps realize
that this cannot be brought abou;
BY any hook or crook OF legislation.
We further realize that government
tal ownership is the frayed and raw
eled practice OF worn-out Europe,
which has had a ruling class for
centuries. If big business controls
many Of our institutions now,
what would it do If more OF these
institutions were dominated by the
government.
Private ownership, with all OF its
afrailties, is a thousand times bet
ter than turning lands, utilities,
railroads, banks, etc, over to a
government which is after all a rul-
ing class. The fewer things we have
in the hands Of the government
the better off all OF US are.
Iack Walton may be a democrat
At heart but he has no right TO mi
lead the people with some fantaSt'c
theory that would only bring more
oppression wee It put into prac
tice.
The docrrip. e Thomas letter
son as we uudr, stand it, was a doc
trine Of simplicity in government, o;
easy Opera or with as little gov
ernmenta! oppression as possible.
Does goverr,rcntsl ownership o.
this thing and Rat thing, equal the
principles laid down BY Thoma-
Jefferson Most assuredly no;
Wake up O~klahomansl Prosper
lily, like happiness, comes from the
inside out. The farmers and day Ia
borers by joining together may
force the price OF their products
up and thereby check big business.
and that's well enough.
The farmers may form their own
buying and selling organizations.
and thereby create greater returns
for themselves-and that's we'll
enough.
Giving more power to the gov
eminent is selling a birthright, the
birthright of personal liberty and
local self.government. Suppose We
place a Car in Oklahoma City who
can direct our banks, our gins, our