The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1886-06-19


q. We demand the repeal of
the law by which the convict
farms or slave pens were erected.
-, That We oppose the present
system of working the coAyicts
of the state, and are opposed to
the bringing of convict labor in
to competition with the honest OF
Legitimate labor on farm, shop and
mandatory.
Having thus completed its mis-
sion the Convention adjourned
Saturday afternoon and its dele
gates left for their homes.
But the most amusing part of
the programme was yet to come.
1t seems that IN selecting their
ticket our Wheeler friends had
reckoned without their host, and
while endeayoring to secure such
men as would draw most largely
from the Democratic vote, hit up
on prominent democrats who were
not only not members Of their or
der, but who were III no manner
disposed to march as standard
bearers of the new party.
1t was hardly to expected that,
after all his efforts to get this
thing in shape, John G. Fletcher
would prove traitor to the new
move, but the course which some
men take in emergencies is beyond
comprehension, as can be soon by
the following letter written by him
after most Of the delegates had
left the city.
TO The People Of arkansas
On yesterday | was nominated
by the State Agricultural Wheel
for the high office of governor Of
Arkansas, and, for the time, |
thought | was doing my duty to
the people If my native state by
accepting that nomination. | the
more naturally and readily formed
this idea from fine fact that from
my earliest boyitood till now | have
been more directly and closely al.
lied with the farmers class than
any other portion of a people who
7 have upvaI, hg fq,l-nnj -ruj4pdq
ial position directly committed
those interests to my charge. Ma
ture reflection, and full consulta
ton with those whose Judgment
cannot be ignored by me, lead me to
the sincere and honest conclusion
that | would not be doing my duty
to make the race for the governor
against the regular democratic or
ganization.
In passing out of all connection
with public matters, back into prl-
vate and business walks of life, l
should surely be untrue to my
self, and to the name ] bear, did |
not express my unqualified thanks
to the State Wheel for the great
honor it saw fit to tender me,
aad TO my personal friends
throughout the state, who upon
this as upon every other oc-
casion, have given me SO many
hattering evidences of their conf
dence and esteem.
For twenty-five years | have
been a consistent democrat, but
those who best know me best
know the fact that under the cir
cumstances the warmest and sim
cerest sympathies of my hear
have gone out to every honest man
toiling to make living Sin the
sweat of his brow without many
stopping to consider his politics
religion, color or condition in life
To that principle and that honor
able sentiment, | shall faithfully
adhere to the end. Respectfully
JOHN G. FLETCHER.
+ As to the cause for this duplicity
lit will be had for both democrats
and wheelers to form q satisfactory
conclusion; but it is safe to sugges
that if Mr.. Fletcher wanted to ge
himself thoroughly out Of politics
MS he says, he could not have hi
upon a more clumsy yet effective
plan.
Since this the entire ticket, will
perhaps the exception of Mr.. Jar
Imam, has not only withdrawn bu
embraced the opportunity to Civ
the movement n most decided
black eye.
A meeting Of the Grand Vince
will be held at Batesyille on tn
Doth when, it has been said, asoli
/ Wheel ticket will be put in th