The Forrest City times., 1888-04-14
GUBERNATORIAL.
The Five candidates Before the
 People of St Francis County

People ot St. Francis County.
 Wednesday the candidates arrived from all directions, and on all trains which were met by committee of re ception of our citizens. At 7:30 pm the distinguished guests were escorted to the court house where beautiful music was listened to and q large number of citizens had assembled Hon 0. B Rollwaae introduced the gentlemen collectively in appropriate language, and in q marked and appre- ciatory manner.
 Gov. Simon F. Hughes was then in- tradgced. He is opposed to the Blair bill and the new constitution. and in favor of free schools and State sovereignty. He gave an account of his stewardship. and in the limited time of fifty minutes was not able to review the history of the whole rou- tine of his predecessors. He spoke of H. C. Allis. of the Gazette. as re- publican and a railroad man who is trying to defeat the present incumbent and bring the fair name of the gov ernor of Arkansas in bad repute, on ac- count of his action in bringing rail- roads to pay just taxes. Gov. Hughes has many friends here, but the third term is against him.
 Col John G Fletcher was intro ddced. He defined his position as in favor of new constitution and the Blair bill He put the blame of the Coal Hill horror upon Gov. Hughes. Said if he ,Fletcherl was elected governor he would see that immediate steps were taken to eulaage the peni- teatia4 to- that extent that the con- victs could be worked inside, and not come ill contact with honest labor. H. thought they could be taught to make cotton bareing, and be a source of considerable revenue to the State. His remarks were well received, and he will no doubt receive the support of those who favor the Blair bill.
 Col. ". NJ. Fishback was intro duced. He thought the present con stituti6n the best of any in the union; advised the people to let well enough alone. He could not support the Blair bill He drew the line between a democratic and a parental govern meut. He said this is democratic government, and he could not support a measure to place American citizens in an attitude of not being able to stand alone. He also said there are but two political parties-democratic and republican; that there is no such thing as an independent party-you must be democrat or a republican. Loud cbeersl Owing to great fa- tigue from travel he begged to be eX- from further discussion. His speech was eloquent, and was we'll received. He has probably done more for the State than any other one man.
 Gel. J. r. Eagle was next intro duced. He. also, thought the present constitution good enough, and did not like the Blair bill. He did not attack Gov. Hughes on the Coal Hill horror. but he charged the governor with try ing to create the impression that he tGoy. Hughes was the first and only man who had ever tried to tax the railroads. and had always been first in all the great questions of public inter- est. As we said above, Gov. Hughes had no time to recite the career of his predecessors. and, in our humble opinion he did not seek to create any idea that he was the only man in Ar kansas who had done good service fol the State He was giving an account of Gov. Hughes, and no one else. The attack was, in our estimation, unfair Cal Eagle is in favor of prison reform, and the public school system now in progress.
 Col. F. w. Rector was the last tC sveak. He agrees with all the candi dates. except Fletcher, on the new con stitutian and the Bair bill, He paint ed the Coal Hill horror i'd RED, and charged the board of penitentiary com missioners with the blame. He wa positive and eloquent in his assertions
 He made a very favorable impression
 After the five gubernatorial candi dates had spoken Gov, Hughes aske, pelmissission to reply to Mr. Eagle which was denied him.
 Col. A. w Files candidate for auditor was called and made an interesting ad dress. after which Messrs, Atkins ana Martin, candidates for attorney general of our state, briefly asked th' suffrage of the people
 The above is a brief synopsis of tho canvass here. Let the people weigl the questions carefully and vote fol the best man.