Evening star., 1923-10-10

With the Oklahoma legislature
convened by special call of Gov.
Walton heading off action under the
result of the special election editors
admittedly are gratified that, for the
time being at least, the rule of force
has been ended in that state. The
unanimity with which the newspapers
Of the natien have condemned both
the governor and certain of the Khan
officials for their effort to carry
through a rule or ruin" policy is
remarkable. Both sides come in for
the sharpest of criticism and now
there is general hope expressed that
sane common sense will prevail. and
that the spectacle of almost an en-
tire state ignoring the "orderly proc
esses of the law has been ended for
all time.
The Milwaukee Journal is con-
vinced the recent election does not
mean the people of Oklahoma deny
the klan is the menace the governor
says or that it has such hold on
the>state that they want to be ruled
fby it. Oklahoma people resent the
advertisement the governor has given
them as a state where lawlessness
and violence are common. But Okla
homa> will not get rid of the obloquy
by discharging the man who pro-
eeeded against it. 1t may be wise
to get rid of Walton, but they want
to be sure they are not surrender
ing to the dangers Walton says are
ever. is convinced the outcome of the
special election was a victory for
law and order. But Oklahoma's mess
will not be cleared up by the i'm
psachment of Gov. Walton, if it oc-
ours. 1t still has the job of suppress
ing. mob law by the invisible govern
ment' of the Klan in the regular proc
esses of constituted authorities of the
state"
This is also the view -of the Albany
Knickerbocker Press, which feels
"much remains to be done before
Oklahoma can again pursue peace
full way officially. 1t was doubly un-
fortunate that methods beyond the
law were used by officers of the law.
Such a procedure never promotes
good; indeed, it defeats the righteous
purpose it was intended to achieve"
The Syracuse Herald is far from con-
vinced the special session ENSURES
Gov. Walton's removal by impeach-
ment. A bare majority of the house
of representatives is sufficient to i'm
peach; but under the Oklahoma con-
stitution it will require a two thirds
vote of the state senate to condemn.
Whether that preponderating majority
is. forthcoming is as yet a debatable
question. At any rate, the impeach-
ment proceedings are bound to arouse
a nationwide interest" To which the
Roanoke Times adds, "Oklahoma is
not out Of the woods yet, as far as
the fight between Gov. Walton and
the legislature is Concerned. 1t prom
ises to be a merry autumn. with. lots
doing. both for the governor and his
opponents" .
Attention is directed by. the Rich
mond News-Leader to the fact that
f'the constitution of Oklahoma sets
forth as ground for Impeachment
'willful neglect of duty, corruption in
Office, hRbitual drunkenness. fncom-
potency or any o9ense ,,ted inSGlsiHg IrnIls ig
office surely. a large enough coat to
cover walton9,,@z The Newark News
seems convinced "level-headed Okla
hemans have blamed themselves for
the two menaces, the Ku Klux and
Walton, neither of which would have
arisen if they had taken n better in
terest in their own government. Self
government Is not automatic. Okla
homa is fortunate if IL has learned
this lesson and been born again into
the kingdom of self-government." AS
for the recent election itself. with the
people themselves ordeFing the spe-
efaI session, the Lynchhurg News
suggests ''in principle the considera-
tions Involved may properly and log