The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-03-07
Barometer of Public Opinion
A Miami Democrat.

Editor World: Judge Summers Hardy, two
weeks ago, was probably not the only Democrat
in the state who believed that the only salvation
for the democratic party lay In It's being eN-
PEELED from the capitol at oklahoma city, and
being compelled by the stern discipline OF obpo-
sition TO purify Itself But the more editorials
YOU write the fewer such democrats there are.
You are ovorplaying your hand.
In the first place looking back TO your orig
iual editorial on the Young Mems democratic
convention at okmulgee you were dislngenions
to say the least, in your criticism Of It's resolu-
tiona There was another paragraph OF the
resolutions, Immediately following tho one you
quoted, In the newspaper version that / saw,
which ought to have Interested YOU, II you had
desired 10 he fair, instead OF 10 score point
In the second place, there are many M us
who do not like your rcsentlng the language
contained in the resolution YOU quoted about
tho guilt of the parties to be condemned being
established by tribunals of competent JurlsdiS,
ton, The boldest hijacker or the meanest rapis'
Is entitled to that before being visited with the
punishment that fits his crime. Is a democratic
politician to he the only exception TO this RUE
or how far do you extend your belief in lynch
law, fgurative, II not literal?
In the third place, you are making many OF
us n wee bit weary OF these pancgyrics or Jim
Hepburn. ! don't doubt that Hepburn Is a
courageous honest and sincere man; but ! nave
failed to find any evidence In the record mat
courage, honesty and sincerity had been suiilc-
lent TO raise him to a position or commanding
influence In his own party, You seem 10 hLSe
become interested In him for the urst une
when no became, or seemed 20 be becoming, po-
utlcnlly available for the coming election.
Jim Hepburn so far has done nothing much
say that he would have indicted Fred Dennis
or Governor Robertson, or both, IL the grand
jury had not been discharged But even thal
Is a long way from convicting any one, nave
seen many indictments found without any inien-
ton Of their being used 10 secure a conviction
II Jim Hepburn really means business, ana
intends TO see the parties that are really guilty
punished, your editorials must be "A tremendous
embarrassment to him, They furnish an eNcese
for regarding whatever he may do as part or
politlcal game. They will have a tendency TO
drive a wedge between him ana the democrats
OF Okmulgee who have so far been supporting
him in what appears to be q crusade against
alleged crime IN high places,
As "A citizen OF oklahoma first, and demo-
crat afterward, 1 have been trying 70 take an
attitude I'm this matter which has become one
OF statewide concern, above mere parusanshlp'
but Il takes moro than one side TO play such. a
game IL this serious situation is 10 be treated
hy our republican friends as simply partisan
capital. we democrats Will be Obliged TO play
their lead. and may have rump5 IN our
hands of which they are not aware.
II the worst Is true the republicans have Len
Small in Illinois, to offs z the democratic Jim
Robertson in Oklahoma. II Mr. Republican Pot
will quit twitting Mr. Democratic Kettle about
his hlackness, perhaps we can work together TO
clean up the kitchen bit -
CHARLES B. MITCHELL.
Miami. February 20. 1912.