The Forrest City times., 1896-09-18
TO the Good People of st. Francis
County.

On last Friday evening the remains of
me of the truest aud kindiest of men
vas laid away in the cemetery at Forrest
Ity and while the last sad rites were pro-
,ounced. while eight OF his Brother Tenn
liars knet around the new made grave
md with claSped hands repeated the grand
duplication, ,"Our Father who art in
1eaven.n it seemed to me had never
,efore realized the awful majesty, the
great solemniy of death.
The Lord had called one OF His humblest
md truest servants home. for ! consider
hat the plain. unpretentious man who
'ested beneath those beautiful tributes OF
lowers. had gone many and many time
through storm and sunshine a. God = ser
sant. rs Gods messenger to some sick and
,ereaved family. As DIR. Matthews
passed along the journey of life he never
rampled upon the poor and lowly. but he
,Iways extended a helping hanu TO those
n need. He WAS always kind, always
considerable, always faithful. Iewas in
Iced the Good Samaritan to hundreds of
he people OF st. Francis county. After
IN acquaintance of thirteen or fourteen
years with him, | can truly say that he
must have known that for much of his
service, no reward would ever be received
~ him on this earth, but now he sleeps
veil. Heavens gates opened wide and
,isssoul, all. his soul is at rest with his
God,
Two years ago a grateful people ex-
pressed their confidence in his true worth
~ electing him TO represent them in the
Legislature of the state. He was chosen
over myself and two other worthy compel
tors. For myself was solicited by many
% again make the race this year. but
.ould not bring myself TO do it. for did
lot wish to cast single straw in this hon
st old mans path. did not want to
nake his way through life one particle
harder. l did not want to add one little
lot of care to til. load he already carried
md | told him so. In cOnseQ uence |
,ventgally driited into a race too great.
too hard for me to compass. but in that
| race | learned much. came in direct
contact with thousands of men of all kinds.
,reeds. and political faiths 1t has broad
.ned me in every say: made ME stronger
md yet more earnest i'm behalf of people
Who bear the greatest share of the burdens
IF this life.
l Ht EItdt bdllUHIi ISSUE Oh INtHlDilPtl-
cation of Silver and tine Income Tax will
10 much tn restore our prosperity but
here are in addition great questions OF
moment that can only he adjusted by the
| state legislature. The state convicts
should he used to levee the roads in the
vet sections of Arkansas. Some change
must be made in the procedure in murder
| rails and the costly and expensive jury
| ices of special venircs as St. Francis coun-
| ~ is now subjected to-one or two hun
| bred special jurors being sometimes sum.
| noned. A railroad commission must be
| provided for TO equalize freight charges
| md provide against eXtOrtion. There are
other matters also needing brave and bold
men to handle in the interest Of the peo
| Pile.
| My friends. Death has released my OBJ
| legations. | am now free to enter the race
1 for your representative in the .stkansa.
| legislature. 1t rests with YOU 70 select
4 some one whom you believe true as steel.
| whom you believe to possess the honesty
| the manhood, the ability. the ambition
md earnestess to represent tie entire
| people OF st. Francis county. He ought
to be man strong in purpose and not
| afraid to stand up amid the sneers of priv
LEGGED classes and advocate the cause OF
the people
Your representative ought to be a man
to reflect credit upon the great county OF
| st. Francis and all its homes: and hard
| working citizens
| If | am honored with your trust, shal
endeayor to see how much aood' | can ac.
comp!sl for you, not how much salary
can draw and may rest assured my KIND
friends. IT you honor me with this Office
| that the wishes of the humblest man in
ST. Francis county will receive as mucl
| consideration as the request of a million
aire. know no bosses; my friends are
and ever shall be the people, the common
people, and any trust they may repose il
me shall never be betrayed by your sin
cere fellow laborer, 80
JAMES HAstEY.