The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15
1 CANDIDATES.
Arkansas 0ffioe-Seekers Speak.
The Dear People Listen Attentively
to Their Discourses at Helena.
Candidates for Governor Secretary
of State, Auditor and Treasurer.
Col. Rector the Undoubted Favorite
of the Helena People.
His Address Was the Feature OF the
Evening-Gibson and Madison
Counties Instruct for
Taylor.

Il HELENA, Ark, April l4.-Last night,
according TO appointment, the gentle
men who are in quest Of political
honors met an immense throng Of ladies
and gentlemen in the Grand opera-house,
who attended for the purpose Of listening to
the speeches OF the candidates and to as
certain their positions on the different
State and national issues.
Col. J. w. Kcsee, Of Phillips county,
consented to preside, and after few re-
marks entered into the program OF the
evening Messrs. Atkinson, Chism and
Files, candidates for Acknowledgement, Sec
rotary OF State and Auditor, respectively,
were introduced, and contented themselves
| by merely announcing themselves MS can
didates for the different offices, and re-
questing the support Of the citizens in the
coming election, after which the candi-
dates for Governor were announced In the
following manner; First W. NJ. Fishback,
| Of Fort Smith; then J. p. Eagle, OF Lon
okc county; then l.. w. Rector, OF Gar
| land, and Gov. s. p. Hughes, and finally
| John q. Fletcher, Of Little Rock. Each
speaker was allotted fifty minutes TO venti-
late his views, and In every case the time
was consumed before the speakers had
concluded what they desired TO say.
COL. W. NJ FfsnBAcK
opened lis address by complimenting his
opponents, and then proceeded 10 eulogize
and panegyrize the State constitution. He
maintained that II was one OF the
best on the American continent, and that
while there were some defects therein
withal il WIS suitable for all practical pur-
poses. and for that reason he opposed
constitutional convention. lie was an adj
vocate OF the reformation in the manage
ment OF State prisoners, but RETAINED 10
refer 10 the barbarities OF Coal Hill. lie
stated that "a his views were in accord
with his opponents on most OF the State
ISSUES he would have them TO discuss them
ut large while he would address his re-
marks to the discussion OF the tariff. In a
most mastery manner he showed the evil
results OF high protective nriil, and ar
migned the Republican party rs the party
whose protective tariff policy gives rise
TO trusts and corners lie heartily in
dorses the tariff message OF President
. Cleveland.
The allotted time having expired
col. =. p. EAGLB
was announced. The gentleman did not
meet with the reception such as was ex-
pecicd; nevertheless. In q clear and con-
else manner, he unfolded his opinion Of
| tho important issues. lie indorsed the
remarks OF his predecessor on the tariff
| question and then discussed forcibly tho
State and national finances. Tho Blair
bill he opposed-not because u may be
l...N Ia a
ment would lead 10 strong Capitalization
OF power and a usurpation OF States
rights; that, while he was opposed 10 that
bill he always favored and encouraged the
public school system. Like all Of the
speakers, he opposed constitutional con-
ycntion. The railroads, he said, should
be reasonably regulated, and such large
returns from railroad investments should
be prevented by the Legislature regulating
the freight and passenger rates. lie
touched lightly upon the Coal Hill afro
cities, but held that the more serious and
long term convicts should be confined
within the walls, and he questioned the
legality OF working them outside OF the
pcnitentiary. lie created considerable
laughter in his criticism OF Gov. Hughes
drag net speech, in which he claimed
the credit Of all the good things that have
accrued 10 the State since his two terms Of
incumbency. When
col. n. W. RECTOR
Was announced Il was evident by the storm
Of applause that he was one oil the favor
tics. His speech was decidedly the feat
IRE OF the evening In o bold, fearless
and thorough manner he arraigned Gov.
, slIuehes and the other members OF the
penitcntiary board Of commissioners, and
contcndcd that had they discharged their
legal duties these prison mine horrors
would not now rise up 10 make him and
oyory citizen Of Arkansas blush for shame.
In well chosen language he depicted the
atrocities Of the drunken, brutal wardens
nj Coal Hill, and 10 obviate these ou,rngcs
he favored the imprisonment Of the con-
yicts within the penitentiary walls, and
advocated a cessation OF the working OF
eonyicts In the streets Of Little Rock and
other parts Of the State, In order that such
labor may not force honest labor 20 com
pete with II. The Blair bill was objected
10 because II would infringe the States
sovereign rights and make them mere
dependencies. He expressed surprise
at seeing the Arkansas and Missls-
sippi senators supporting that bill.
which II n bribo offered by the Repub-
lcans. He believed Ia liberal laws for the
regulation OF railroads, but favored com.
mission 20 regulate them. lie opposed
consolidation Of elections, and wanted 10
know why Gov. Hughes had shifted his
position on the question. lie opposed
trusts, and n the cotton seed oil companies
did not comply strictly with the laws, he
would recommend. II made Governor. that
their charters be revoked and their bust
......I nrtaooaFa aIoUIl Ia