The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-09-26
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD


n KLAHOMA has become the cen
~ ter of the war against the Ku
Klux Khan. Developments there last
week were sensational, and the fu-
ture is looked to not without some
apprehension. Enraged by more of
the hOggings which are reasonably sup-
posed to be committed or melted by
the Khan, Gov. ]. Q. Walton announced
that a state of instruction and rebel
lion against the laws and constituted
authorities Of the state existed, and
therefore he proclaimed martial law
for the entire state and ordered absO-
lutte martial law for Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma county and Creek county.
Units Of the National Guard were
called put and a military commission
set up and began the examination and
trial Of civilians-a thing that has not
been seen in the United States for
many years.
An order was issued prohibiting "all
public meetings, publications, litera-
ture and verbal expressions tending to
GACaAC OPPOoAAAOA " lhC ChAOA(CAnCA
Of martial law In Oklahoma county"
and consequently the newspapers there
have been cautious. However, the pub
fishers Of several Of the largest dailies
In the state have signed and many
of the papers have printed an address
to the people Of the United States de-
claring that "the supreme issue in Ok
lahOma today is constitutional govern
ment or despotism," and asserting that
Governor Walton, by his acts, has
attempted to nullify rights guaranteed
under our Constitution, and to halt
the lawful processes of republican gov
eminent"
In another address the editors urged
the members of the legislature to meet
Immediately, and this is what a large
number of the legislators have been
planning to do. Walton says re will
not permit it, and is quoted as declar
ing that if the lawmakers assemble he
will build a stOckade and put them in
1t. Notwithstanding the threat, al
most a majority of the members Of the
lower house have signed and issued
a call for a special session for the
purpose Of investigating charge.
against the governor Of repeated in
juries, usurpations and blunders, evi
dencing the direct object Of establish
ing an absolute tyranny and despOtisr
over the commonwealth"
Walton has strong political support
made up Of Farmer-Laborites, radica
Democrats and a kind Of Nonpartisal
league, but some of these, especial
the Laborites, do not take kindly t
martial. law. The invisible empire
men are not openly combating the GOV
ernOr's methods, but are working III
der cover with great energy, and 1t
believed that in a measure they ca
control a special session of the legi'
lature. Their fiery crosses continue
TO blaze over certain buildings in OF
lahoma City until Thursday, whe
Walton ordered them struck down.
Walton, if he reads the news frol
Europe, may seek TO emulate BENT
MussOlini and Gen. Primo Rivera, bl
If so he will have to learn that thel
is a vast difference between the COZ
ditions and peoples in Italy and Spa
and those in the United States. \
relationships are necessary or desIr'
In any Of our commonwealth.
GO FAR, the coup d'etat Of the N
y itary ~aristocracy Of Spain is alt
gether successful. King Alfonso, yieI
ing perforce to the revolutionists, CT
ated a national directorate and ma
Primo Rivera its president with Writ
ally dictatorial powers. The Pc
tons of premier and cabinet ministe
were suppressed. The new governme