Evening star., 1923-10-01
Oklahoma Secretary of State
Refuses Order Until Validity
ShoWn-0usted Body's Ac-
tions Cancelled.
EXECUTIVE THREATENS
USE|0F WHOLE GUARD
Defying Governor, sheriffs Say Cit
izens Will Be Protected in Exer-
cising Sufrage-Tulsa Judge
Enjoins Troops From interfering
With Persons at Polls.

By the Associated Press.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. Oc-
tober Playing his trump
card, Gov. J. c. Walton today
reconstructed the state election
board, and orders issued by the
new board went out at once by
telegraph to all county boards
to halt the special state election
for tomorrow.
w. c. McAlister. secretary OF
the board. is the only elective
The other two are ap-
pointive, and give the governor
control over its actions.
Removes Two Members.
The governor fled an executive order
with the secretary of state, removing
John p. Logan, chairman of the board.
and C. W. Kelly, republican member.
Logan is a democrat lie named il
their places Ira Mitchell, democrat, and
Claude Baker, republican.
The removal order was dated April
25, 1923, and for this reason Il. A. Sneed,
secretary Of state, refused to accept II
until he had obtained an official opinion
as to its validity from George F. Short,
state attorney general.
The new board members, however.
did not wait for the opinion befors
calling on the election.
jail for Interferers.
Instructions to jail every person at
tempting to interfere with the special
state election tomorrow had been sent
early today to all county election Off
cials by the old state election board
'If any one attempts TO interfere with
yo-l in the conduct Of this election, have
him thrown in jail at once" the tele-
grams ordered.
The sheriffs in every county Of the
state were urged by the state board
TO study the laws on elections and to
provide a safe ballot"
The office Of Attorney Genera!
George F. Short was being deluged
with inquiries as to the legality OF
the election. All inquirerS were told
It was valid.
Sheriff Tom Cavnar OF Oklahoma
county announced he was ready To
deputize every man in the county"
to prevent. disturbances at the polls.
He said Re would make no effort
-
tion, but that he was prepared 20
stop any violence.
Gets Conflicting Views.
Sheriff Cavnar said:
"I have received written instruc-
tions from the governor ordering me
to stop the election in Oklahoma
county, but I have also received in
ney general, and ]. K. Wright. county
attorney, that have no authority TO
stop any election and that my duty
is to see that the people have peace
able election. / will do my duty TO
enforce the law, regardless of any
orders from the governor. The peo-
pie are bigger than any one man
r. a. Woodbridge, secretary of the
county election board. was rushing
final plans for holding the election
and declared there will be an cleo
ton in Oklahoma county.
Police Wont Interfere.
o. e. Cargill. mayor of Oklahoma
City, announced that "the people Of
Oklahoma City may be assured that
the police department will not be
used to interfere with the citizens in
the free exercise of their right cf
suffrage on Tuesday"
The mayor SO instructed Ray Frazier,
chief of police.
The governor has declared the
whole armed force of the common
wealth Will be in the field to bar the
election and to keep down rioting.
Opposing him, members of the legis-
lature and sponsors of the initiated
bill to permit them to review the
governors actions have conducted a
hasty campaign TO insure general
effort to vote.
Last night printing presses in every
county ran off ballots, while speakers
at meetings in rural churches and
town halls called upon the people TO
go to the polls in defiance of the gov
ernor's threat.
Excitement Runs High.
The state is in a pitch of excitement
unequaled since the inception Of the
rapid train Of incidents which have
led to the eve of an unparalleled eiee-
ton, with the outcome of the seem
ingly deadlocked situation awaited
with open apprehension.
Last night the executive mobiiized
the entire National Guard, numbering
approximately 5000 men. and called TO
duty an army of citizens volunteers
which he said was $4,000 strong. to
prevent disturbances on election day.
At tho same time he directed his
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column g.,
MPc cTnkEc AWAITING