Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-04-23
JEFF'S STRATEGY FAILED
Gov. Davis Undertakes by Questionable
Methods to Secure Capitol Plans
Thought He Had the Real Commission in the "Nine
Hole and Everything Going His Way But
Has Nothing But Blue Prints

The laugh is on Coy Davis. says
the Little Rock Democrat
BY strategy Tuesday he thought he
haa secured the plans for the new
state capitol, and by refusing To sur
render them To the commission elect
ed by the legislature would block the
work en- the state house.
BUt What he did get are only the
blue print copies of the plans. which
bad bcen left with the state treasurer
The originals are all safely in a bank
vault in the custody of the architect,
George r Mann, where the governor
can not get them So nothing What
ever is lost and there will be no de
mission.
The governor also attempted to Sc
cure from the office of the secretary
Of state yesterday the specifications
for the new building. but Deputy Sec
retary Of State Ludwig would not
surrender them
The first report that Jeff Davis had
secured possession of the plans and
specifications of the new state capi-
to building was heard through cur
rent state house rumor. A reporter
for the Democrat called upon Senator
George Sengel to learn if he knew
anything of the facts Senator Sengel
said
s'Shortly after the senate and house
in joint session yesterday evening fin
ished balloting for the commission
ers. as provided for by the Merriman
act. which is the only law now in
force and effect bearing upon that
subject, Senator Wood and I called
at the treasurer's Office to learn If
it was true that the governor had
taken possession of the plans for the
new capitol building We had heard
the rumor that he had secured pos
session fthe documents and had
signified his intention to keep them.
At the treasurer's Office we saw Dep
uty State Treasurer Yates, who
stated that Jeff Davis had asked to
see the specifications this morning,
and Col Upton, believing that he only
desired to see them for a few min
utes and would return them direct
ly. let him have the documents, but
when Col. Upton endeavored to get
them back, Davis refused to surren
der them"
In your opinion, what is the mo-
tive of the governor? He has taken
possession of the plans for what pur-
pose?' asked the reporter
THAT seems very plain to me-
am told that Chas. Watkins. by Jen
Davis direction has sworn in the
Davis commission, and it seems clear
to me that his motive in getting
the plans and specifications is to de-
liver the same to his commission,
and thus, if possible, thwart the ac'
tion OF the legislature.'
Col II. c. Tipton was the next to be
interviewed by the reporter. He stat
ed that on Tuesday morning between
and 10 O'Clock Jeff Davis telephoned
him to bring the plans and specifica-
tions for the new capitol building
up to his Office, as he desired to look
at them few minutes. 81 did So
said Col Upton, carried them to
him in person. and laying them on
the table, said, here they are gov
ernor'
"'All right said he; the board de-
sires to look at them, and ! will be
personally responsible to you for
them"
Col Upton said he did not think
of any strange proceedings about the
governors action. Il never dreamed
that he intended to keep them in
his possession" he continued, "and
returned to my Office in the belief
that he would return them to me in
a very little while. Two hours Or