The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-05-21
A Newspaper That Serues
TIME FOR AN ACCOUNTING

'YwSy people have right to know where men asking
favors from them stand certain public ques-
tions. Too often they never are given information
merely because they fail to ask The issues in the
present campaign are TOO vital for laxity on the
part OF the people and the press. Every candidate
for office should be Immediately interrogated in the
interests OF the public
A number of men have been indorsed for state
office by hybrid organization known as the
Farmer Labor Reconstruction league which met
early in the spring at Shawnee. The things that
this league did seem innocent 1t is only when the
intent OF the men backing it is examined that the
diabolca deyltry OF the plan is apparent
The head OF the ticket indorsed by this league
has not said where he stands. He has accepted the
Endorsement of the league. But does he expect the
people sit passvey on the sidelnes without find
ing out whether or not he ndorses the league? Most
certainly not.
1t is reported that the man who heads the non
partisan ticket made the remark he into the
convention to deliver his speech that had been
prepared for him some time in advance:
have not read the platform but | am strong for
it,.
Thus spoke the opportunist. the man eager to
seize any opportunity offered him regardless OF the
welfare OF the state.
But who will accept in such spirit cannot
dodge the responsibility OF stating his position by
sidestepping with statement that he is running on
democratic platform. 1t is clear that he is doing
nothing of the kind. He is seeking office on plat
form written by malcontents at Shawnee who had
failed in their efforts to put the Towney non-par-
tisan league in Oklahoma by other methods.
Briefly stated the people of Oklahoma want to
know whether the head OF the non-partsan
ticket If chosen governor will recommend to the
first legislature that is convened after the first OF
next year. the execution OF the promises made in the
Shawnee platform. r.
There should be no sidesteppng, no begging the
question. This ticket has the Endorsement OF the
reconstruction league Are the men on the ticket
double crossing the who Endorsed them or are
they deceiving the public The statement that they
are seeking office on democratic platform cannot
be reconcied with the fact that they are accepting
the support otlthe macontents. radicals and negroes
who wrote the Shawnee platform.
/'Wil these men who seeking office, if elected
carry the plan that has been enunciated at Shaw
nee calling for state bank similar to the one that
failed in North Dakota? Will they provide state
warehouse, elevator and marketing system such as
that through which the citizens OF North Dakota
biked OF millions OF dolarsi
There are seventeen state planks in the Shawnee
reconstruction league platform Most of them are
innocent and time worn. Most OF them have been
adopted by at least three parties at some period in
history. But hidden away in an innocent mass OF
,erbiage is concealed the menace OF paternalism in
the state. In one breath the farmer-abor recon.
sructon league platform condemns state institutions
for failure. In the breath demand ior crea-
ton OF more institutions is made.
Here is an example OF innocous things that appear
in the platform:
"We favor impartial enforcement OF all laws"
Nothing vicious in that We all approve this
ideal OF justice and not candidate for any office OF
any ticket can be found who believes in anything
else
THE establishment OF mills and elevators ware
houses and the like
ITO establish state bank which shall be the de
pository OF the funds OF the state and its subdivs
ions"
These are the things that made OF North Dakot
financial Sahara that brought about virtual stat
OF bankruptcy in the state and caused revusion Q
feeling that swept the partisan office holder
out Of office
1t is no more than right that the citizens q
Oklahoma should know where these men lndorse
~ the tarmer-labor reconstruction league stand.
:hosen or office will they attempt to bring abou
condition OF communism in the statei VIII the
double cross the democrats who do believe
hese things who have accepted their word that the
will not support such measures Or are these car
lidates double crossing the supporters OF this pol
tical abortion known the farmer-labor recof
sruction league; No can stand in both place
The people will not permit candidates long to S
on the top rail OF the fence
The whole non-partsan plan is tissue OF neoi
sstency and deception The farmer and laborer
not going to be led astray The idea OF nvadin
party ranks instead of erecting third party orig
mated only after il was found that abortve thin
party movements end in failure.
Y The only thing that favor the ticket put 70
ward by the farmer-abor reconstruction league
the slowness Of the 1922 crop. The entire NOV
ment Is an empty stomach one. 1t is union
dissatisfied men with macontents. 1t cannot lof