The Van Buren press., 1896-02-01
GOV. James P. Clarke.

From the Pine Bluff Graphic.
In an open letter to the electors OF the
State. Gov. James P. Clarke announces
that he will not be candidate for re
election to the Office of Governor, but
that he will be candidate for the
United States Senate 10 succeed the
Hon James K. Jones.
This indicates that there will be
lively campaign this year for the United
States Senate. for Gov Clarke is known
to be a man of much energy and many
fertile resources. and il cannot be
denied that he has a reasonably strong
following in this State. But Gov.
Clarke should know that that IN
opposing Senator J. K. Jones that he is
opposing one of the ablest and strongest
men Arkansas has ever produced, and
the Graphic is not of the opinion that
the people of Arkansas are ready TO
relegate their most distinguished public
servant to the shades of private life.
Senator Jones, since his advent IN the
senate chamber. has acquired an
eminence and renown not achieved by
any representative the state of Arkansas
has ever had IN either branch Of the
Federal legislature, with the possible
exception of Clifton R. Breckinridge
and Augustus Fl. Garland. Gov.
Clarke. in a century of public life,
could not hope to achieve the prorni-
nence, standing and influence that
Senator Jones has already acquired
during his brief service. The people Of
Arkansas would therefore be foolhardy
to replace Jones with Clarke, and this
they will never do.
But why should Clarke he promoted
to the United@5tates2 What distin-
guished mark II public service has he
ever rendered to the State to entitle him
to such an exalted position2 During
his public life in this State-as State
Senator, Attorney General or Governor
has he every given any evidence OF
those exalted qualities which are sup
posed to be embodied in those who
aspire to so noble and lofty position as
the Senate of the United States.
What measure of public importance
bears his name? What has he ever done
to entitle him to further and more
exalted honors at the hands of the
people of Arkansas2 Quite to the con.
trary in his public life Gov. Clarke hai
not manifested either lofty abilities o.
exemplary characteristics. Indeed, hi
public acts do not arise above medioc
rity, and in almost every instance ha
he shown himself man of ungovern
able temper and violent prejudices
hot headed Hotspur and veritabl
demagogue-a man alike unfit for publi
Office or the condolences of the people.
! Since the Anthony Wilson murder ol
the floor of the House there has neve
been a more disgraceful act in this Stat
! than that which witnessed the Goyerno
of Arkansas making an assault upon
member of the last legislature with
pistol in his pocket, which he attempte
to use, in a public hotel in the city 0
Little Rock on holy Sabbath day. L
In other states the policy has been t
send this class of law breakers to tn
county Jail, and we do not believe tina
the people of Arkansas will so stultif
and disgrace themselves by an act s
unbecoming and objectionable as t
send one Of that class to represent ther
in the Senate of the United States.
Gov. Clarke has already brought dis
grace upon and injured the fair name c
his State, and now he seeks to ad
insult to injury by declaring himself
fit representative of this people in on
of the loftiest law making bodies in tn
world.