The Forrest City times., 1896-07-03
The Platform.

Cndlrman C. C. waters, Of the com mittee on resolutions, submitted the following report.
 The republicans of Arkansas, in state con- vention assembled present the following plat form of principles:
 In national affairs we heartily adopt and en- dorse the platform of the republican national convention at St. Louis with protection recip- rocity and sound money inscribed upon our banners, and with Mckinley and Hobart as our standard bearers will wage the battles of the coming campaign in confident hope of victory in November next. In state affairs we demand reform and among multitude of subjects, we emphasize the fol- lowing:
 We favor an amendment of our road laws. The present system falls heavily upon the poorest citizens. We should have good roads and the burden of making and maintaining them should be borne by all citizens in propor- tion to their means.
 We favor an amendment to the election law so framed that one member of each of the elec- tion boards may be of political party other than that composing the state administration, according to the following some similar plan: l. Let the state board be composed of the governor and secretary of state Gas now) and let the other member of the board be the per- son who, in the last preceding election received the highest number of votes for governor next to the successful candidate. 2 Let the county board be composed of three citizens qualified electors one to be ap- pointed by each member of the state board.
 B. Let the judges of the election be appoint ed, one by each member of the county board. 4 Let the clerks of election be selected one by majority of the judges of election and one by the minority judge.
 B. That the ballot be in the form of the true Australian ballot, upon which each party ticket is set out separately, so that the voter may designate his ballot in a simple and easy manner and without assistance. That in order to equalize the land grants made by congress to the various states for pub lie school purposes, we favor that congress be
 petitioned to grant this state an additional section of land for each congressional town ship for public school purposes. We favor the establishment of reform school for the reformation of youthful crimi- nals.
 For the purpose of encouraging the develop ment of the natural resources of this state, we favor an amendment to the constitution per
 mitting counties and municipalities, by vote of the people, to exempt manufacturing enter prises from taxation for specified term. We favor consolidation of national and state elections. The present system of separate elections compels needless waste of the peo- pie s time and money.
 That the action of the legislature in refusing to appropriate the interest on the general school fund, amounting to about S250, ,000 for the maintenance and improvement of our pub lie schools is wrong to the people and we de- mand that the interest of all school funds in
 the state treasury be distributed to the several
 school districts of the state, required by law and in order that better education may be given to the children of the state. We cordially invite all citizens regardless of
 former affiliations, who believe in the princi-
 ples herein enunciated, to vote with us at the
 ensuing election.
 Gen. Powell Clayton Endorsed.
 The following resolution was adopted
 by rising vote:
 Resolved That the republicans of Arkansas, in convention assembled hereby express their hearty satisfaction in the leadership of Gen. Powell Clayton and point with pride to the ac-
 tive and successful part he has taken in na-
 tional politics. leading up to the nomination at St Louis of the republicans of Arkansas choice for the presidency, the Hon. Wm. Me-
 Kinley of Ohio In the councils of party lead CTS he is regarded as the peer of the best. h. telligent prudent and fearless. his advice and
 assistance is always of the highest order and
 when followed leads to success.
 H.M. Cooper Re-Elected Chairman.
 After the convention adjourned the
 state central committee met and re-
 elected Hon. Henry M. Cooper, of Little
 Rock, chairman of the committee for
 the ensuing two years. Nj. w. Gibbs,
 of Little Rock, was reelected secretary. The chairman was authorized to ap-
 point an executive committee to be com posed of i2 members.
 Matters pertaining to the state cam
 paign were discussed and it was agreed that thorough canvas of the state be ade.