Newport weekly independent., 1903-08-21
WOODS BROTHER
 DEPENDS SUPREME COURT.
Spirited Speeches By Gubernatorial Candidates at Sheridan-Judge J. B. Wood Represents His
 Brother.

Sheridan, Aug. 17.-A spirited trian- gular discussion took place here to- day between Judge J. B. Wood of Hot Springs, representing his brother, Judge Carroll D. Wood, Gov. Davis and Hon. A. F. Vandeventer. The speaking followed an hours session of the Grant county circuit court, Judge A. M. Duffie presiding. Hon. Havis Nixon was chairman of the meeting and introduced the speakers.
 Gov. Davis made the opening speech, discussing the pardon of Johnson of Fort Smith, and claimed he was imposed upon and said he sent a telegram to Representative Fuller, telling him if he got fes for the par don he got it through fraud and he would have to give up the deed.
 Hon. A. F. Vandeventer was the next speaker, and his talk was along the lines of those previously reported. His eloquent arraignment of Davis was given close attention.
 Judge J. B. Wood of Hot Springs represented ably his brother, Judge Carroll D. Wood. He told of his brother's early training and about his going to the state university, part of the time walking, then travelling in a chicken peddler's wagon. He washed dishes and hired out as janitor in or der to complete his education. MT. Vandeventer and Gov. Davis were we'll known, and this was why he wanted to tell who his brother was. At this juncture Mr. Vandeventer asked Judge Wood if he didn't think fifteen years of office holding was sufficient pay for his brother's walk ing to school. Judge Wood said in reply that the people had got just re- wards while he had been in office and that he was willing to lea"e it to the people, and that he had never been defeated for any position sought for, and that was more than could be said of the one who had asked the ques- tion.
 He dwelt for some tI.Ae on the anti trust law and the decision, and de- tended the courts in an able manner. It was undemocratic to keep one man in as governor all the time. There were not five 'eputable lawyers in who would not sustain the supreme courts decisions on the law. "The law is good" said the supreme court, and the ernor brought 239 cases and the court asked the govern or to bring in the proof that the trusts were engaged in regulating prices in Arkansas, and the governor, then attorney general, dismissed all the cases and went out over the state denouncing the supreme court and deceiving the people. The cases were all dismissed at cost of over S1,200 to the state of Arkansas.
 The governor had made tbe people believe the law was valid, and he (Davis) posed as friend of the peo- pie. He had denounced Judge Battle, saying that he was president of the ice trust.
 Governor Davis-Is it not true, Judge Wood, that Judge Battle is president of the ice trust?
 Judge Wood-Yes, sir.
 Governor Davis-Well, your case is out of court.
 Judge Wood-Didn't you say that you dismissed the suits because Judge Battle was a member of the trusts?
 Governor Davis-I did not.
 Judge Wood-Yes, you did. 1 heard you. When 1 spoke against you at Mena you said it there. Gentlemen of the jury (Iaughter), he (the gov ernor) says you are empaneled as a jury and hope you will not let Davis deceive you any longer as he goes over the state and arrays the country people against the town people. Judge Battle is an honored member of the Baptist church and a Christian gentle man.
 Judge Wood then referred to how Davis tried to have Judge Battle de- feated after he had won the race at the last Democratic state convention, and try to put in another man.