The Van Buren press., 1900-07-07
!McFARLaAE'S LAMENT.
He Discusses the State COnven.
tiOn and the Method
Of His Defeat.

tiOn and the Method
Of His Defeat.
FORT SMITH, ARK.
EDITOR 1.-THE TINES: My friends
are due an exact report Of the proceed
ings Of state convention in the auditor
race. The situation when the first ballot
was reached was, McFarlane, 239; in
structed votes Monroe, 22S; and Crit
tenden, 8; Chicot. a. Lafayette, 4;
Perry, 3; Pulaski, 13; Scott, o; ant
Ashley county, 4, carried by McFarlant
by over 200 votes in primary, but claimed
by Monroe uninstructed. On call oil
roll Crittanden voted for McFarlane
making 242; Chicot, 4; Lafayette, A
2 votes from Perry, Pulaski, 13; and
Ashley county, voted for Monroe.
Ashley county was first on list and as
McFarlane had carried 1t, but its dele
gates voted for Monroe When Missis-
sippi county was reached II voted for
McFarlane, which with o votes from
Scott and one from Perry made McFar-
lane 255 and Monroe 248. A howl was
raised by John T Hicks, Of White
county, challenging the vote of Missis-
sippi coun.y. The convention hall was
packed by the families and heelers of the
employees of the State House and peniten-
tiary who set up such howl as only
disappointed pap hunters can-an ad'
journment was had to enable them to fix
things mnch the same as occurred four
years ago when these same manipulators
fixed the deal between Sloan and this
same Monroe. Public sentiment wac
manufactured meh high In the party 8
counsel Joined the hue and cry and on
the assembling Of the convention at 10
O. clock the 9th resolution WAS passed
taking the casting of the vote out of the
hands Of Mississippi county and instruct
ing the secretary OF the convention to
cast the vote of Mississippi county for
Monroe, with her regular accredited
delegate seated on the floor protesting
against the proceedings That Monroe
carried Mississippi county by q majority
Of about fifty is not disputed; that Nc
Farlane carried Ashley by a much larger
majority IL not denied by any deoent
man In Ashley county. That Missis.
sippi voting for Monroe and Ashley for
McFarlane would nominate McFarlane
is seen at a glance. There is no man
who knows McFarlane who does not
know he would spurn nomination not
rightfully his. That this is the second
one wrenched from him by brute force
and the dirtiest political manipulation Is
seen. This Ia the first time even In the
history of the state that the regular dele
gate from county could not cast the
vote of his county as he chose and be
responsible to his home people alone.
Recognizing that just and reasonable
course Of the party which in individual
instances, may occasion wrong but In
the long run Is the best, | made no kick
at first ut the course of Ashley county,
but In the contest on the floor the atten-
ton Of the convention was called to II
but 1t WAS ignored. have been out.
ragged and wronged not this time alone.
The entire contest this year has not
turned on the personal character Of fit.
ness Of the candidates, but whether they
would retain the present state house and
penitentiary gang In their positions.
The state house and penitentiary have
won. For your power and success,
gentlemen, l salute you. l recognize u
master hand when seeit. Mark Hanna
and Dick Croker would award you a
chrome and II 4 Democratic success Is
attained with David B. Hill in control !
will add my feeble endorsement to you
NJ the gang in control, - and who by
superiority In progress ought to control
the dispensation Of patronage. 1t need
not be added that McFarlane Is u
Democrat, ready and anxious for her
success and advancement, TO do anything
to aid the good cause. No individual
triumph can change the cause or alter
the duty OF citizens to support that party
In whose final triumph Is the hope
OF free government.
II. W. MCFARLAND.