The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-04-12
AN OPEN LETTER
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the commission of crime. Dennis is
entitled to 4, fair and impartial trial,
and TO complete vindicauon If he is
not guilty, but it is the governors
duty 10 exert every effort to bring
him to trial.
Prevents Full Probe.
l do not approve the governors rec
ord in exerting all the power of his
office to prevent a complete and full
investigation and public trial of the
serious charges made by the legisla-
tive committee against himself his
Board of Affairs and his Highway De
partment, even though the majority
Of the investigating committees We're
Republicans.
The committee charged the gov
ernor with wilful neglect of duty and
corruption in office. The committee
had the power under the law to make
the charge, and when made the people
were entitled to know the facts. The
majority of the senators before whom
the governor would have been tried
Were Democrats, thus insuring to him
a fair and impartial trial His vindi-
cation before the senate would have
strengthened the Democratic party.
The governor eXerted every influence
possible to suppress the investigation
and to prevent a public trial.
The investigating committee charged
the Board Of Affairs with violations of
law in letting contracts for the erec-
tioa of buildings and in purchasing
supplies and the expenditures Of the
peoples money. The people were en-
titled to know whether the charges
were false or true and could only
know this through a complete investi-
cation and public trial
Governor Was On Fence.
The investigating committee de-
manded the removal of the Highway
Commissioner in the interest Of econ
omy and good government. The gov
ernor requested his resignation. but
in his letter Of acceptance stated that
he knew the commissioner was not
guilty Of the charges and that he was
an honest and efficient officer. II
the governors statements were true,
he should have refused to discharge
the commissioner and should have de-
manded his vindication through pub.
lie trial.
| do not approve the conduct of
the Highway Department in various
hard-surface road projects through
out the state, where the contractors
are, for all intents and purposes, re.
quired to use Salina gravel purchased
from Jesse 8arbre--one of Robertson's S
campaign managers and chairman Of
the state election board-the taxpayers
paying the excessive freight rates in.
cident to shipping this gravel to sec
tons Of the state remote from the
gravel bed. Neither 40 | approve
Barbre's having what amounts to a
monopoly in making surety bonds COW
ering contracts let through this de.
partment.
Maintains Loyalty.
The purpose of my campaign is to
serve the people through the Demo.
cratic party. | yield to no man in
my loyalty to the Democratic party
and the principles for which it stands.
and l consider party success more
important than my own nomination.
But If to be loyal Democrat means
that / must subscribe to malfeasance
and misfeasance in office of those
who, for rhe time being, are en-
trusted with the leadership OF the
party, and by my silence give tacit
approval thereof, then / must confess
my democracy does not square with
my conscience.
| would not accept the nomination
If | had any reason to believe that
my failure to approve or endorse the
governors record would endanger the
success Of the party. But l have no
reason for such belief on the con.
trary. the expressions | have received
from honest, loyal Democrats of every
county Of the state, convinces me
that the people do not approve and
will not expect me to endorse the gov.
ernor's record. Nor will the people
expect me as governor TO continue his
policies. Sincerely.
THOS. II. OWEN.