The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-04-12
LLOYD GEORGE WOULD DlSARM FORCES
AN OPEN
LETTER
In Which Tom Owens
Makes it Clear that He
is Opposed to Governor
Robertson and the State
House Rule.

ertSOn has announced positively that
he and all his friends throughout the
state will oppose OWENS nomination
for governor.
Recently the Tulsa Tribune carried
\ full double-column editorial in which
it charged violation of the law by
individuals aud officials in city, coun-
" and state government. The edi-
Al said: Speak up, Judge Tom
owen What do you think about the
present State House rule?" owen
answered this editorial in letter to
the editor in which he resented the
wholesale condemnation Of Democratic
officials In the State House, and point
cd out that he did not approve Gov
ernor Robertsons record, the record
of Bank Commissioner Dennis, the
State board Of Affairs and the High.
way Department.
Replying TO this letter, Governor
Robertson bitterly arraigned owen at
the meeting Of the Democratic State
Central Committee, held in Oklahoma
City April s. Governor Robertson
sought to make 1t appear that owens
letter was an unprovoked attack, and
to refute that statement Owen has
prepared the following communication
TO the voters Of the state:
Called Party Traitor.
To the Democratic Voters:
In his speech Of welcome to the
Democratic state Committee OH April
G. Governor Robertson denounced me
as traitor to the Democratic party.
because / expressed disapproval OF
his record in a letter that l wrote
TO the editor Of the Tulsa Tribune.
/ wrote the letter in response to
IN editorial in which the editor. in
effect, condemned all Of our public of.
ficials and in which he also pro.
pounded the direct question Speak
UP, Judge Tom owen and Superin-
tendent Wilson. What do you think
about the present State House rule?"
l regret exceedingly that there
should be any cause for lack OF har.
mony in the Democratic party. re-
gret that should be called upon TO
make reference to that cause.
Must BE Sincere.
labor under the impression that a
candidate FOR governor, to deserve the
confidence and support OF the honest
Democratic voters. must be sincere
and willing to answer any direct ques-
ton concerning any issue In the cari-
paign.
Governor Robertson's record is
vital issue in this campaign. / have
received inquiries running into the
thousands, coming from the Demo.
cratic voters in every county OF the
state. both men and women. as to
whether / approve the record made
by Governor Robertson and whether
will continue his policies II | am
elected governor.
II 1t be treason to the Democratic
candid. truthful manner. and by do
ing 80 express my disapproval OF the
governors conduct then l am indeed
guilty. But I do not recognize the
governor as constituting the Demo.
cratic party.
Criticism Made Definite.
II the Democratic voters Of this
state approve his record and desire
a continuation OF his policies, then
shoald not be- nominated. In that
event, l would not be representa-.
tive candidate. for the reason that I
do not approve his record In many
instances and more especially as II
relates TO his own conduct and TO that
of his banking department. Board OF
Affairs and State Highway Depart
ment. The governor has complete
control of these three departments. |
make no criticism of his industrial
commission Of the school land depart
ment over which he has partial con-
troll.
do not approve tho governors rec.
ord relating to pardons, paroles and
leaves of absence from the penltcn.
tiary. cannot believe he reflects
the will OF the majority OF the Demo.
cratic voters OF the state In his whole.
sale pardoning OF criminals, and In
some instances before they can he
senienced by the court In which
ihey were convicted. (Rcfcr TO Judge
T.. r. Lester. wilburton). Neither do
approve such conduct as granting
60 day leave OF absence to Paul
IIadley, convicted Of numbering u
Texas sheriff on crowded passenger
train In Muskogce county. IIadley is
stili absent after many months. a fugi.
tive from Justice. Space alone for.
bids mentioning hundreds OF other
instances IN this connection.
illegal Tax Levy"
! do not approve his record In ad'
vocating and forcing through an ille-
gal tax levy, extorting many thousands
of dollars from the taxpayers. mostly
from the smaller taxpayers who did
not understand the necessity OF pay.
ing under protest.
do not approve his record AZ II
relates 10 the administration Of the
bank Guaranty Fund Neither do !
approve his public uttcrance to the
effect that he will stand by Fred
Dennis. his hank commissioner, now
fugitive from justice. Assuming,
for arguments sake. that Dennis is
not EuIlty--undcr the law he Is pre-
sufned TO he innocent until he In prov.
ell guilty n ivertheless he is fugi'
tive from justice under indictment
for felon. The governor as the
chief exec We is ,harg'i with the en-
"a A.. III. .a..tx,