The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-01-30

spects to the governor on the third-term
question, stating II was Democratic
policy, beginning with Washington and
jefferson, 10 give chief executives OF
either state or nation, only two succes-
sive terms in that office. Pointing out
the danger of violating this precedent
which in time would lead 10 an Office.
holding ring through the almost un
limited sppOintiye power of the office
Then he brought up the Rector bill
and the ruling Of the supreme court
thereon, charging Davis with neglect
OF duty in not prosecuting trusts under
its provisions. He claimed that the
decision Of the supreme court did not
rs claimed by Davis, take the life ont
Of the bill and he made the proposition
TO Davis that he would submit the ques.
tion to Ex-Judge Caldwell, or any three
disinterested lawyers Of prominence in
the state, 70 say whether or not the
decision did or did not knock the life
ont Of the bill. If he or they said it did &,
he wood would withdrew from the
race if they said it did not, then Davis
10 withdraw from the race OF course
Davis would not entertain this PROPOSE.
ton The King bill Ms drawn by the
governor (thnugh Dave King claimed
credit for il until the governor robbed
him Of iD Mr. Wood stated, was an
identical counterpart Of the Rector bill
rs on the statute books then and that on
reqnesr for An opinion himself and
Judge Ri1dirk pointed ont the way it
should be amended in order to make it
say what its sponsors said they wished
1t to mean, but that these amendments
were never incorporated.
He then stated that he stood for
speedy completion Of the state house
improvement of the state convict farm
the opening of state normal school
and industrial school for girls u reform
school better roads and wOnld advocate
an amendment to the constitution pro.
hibiting third-terms for chief execu
tivps.
He called attention to the opposition
Of liov Davis toward the purchase Of
the Cummings plantation, his opposition
to the new state capital building, his
constant warfare with the other state
officers and legislatures his pardon
record and other matters which have
occupied these columns ut length from
time 10 time, promising If elected to the
Office IN spend the tilna, now wasted by
this useless warfare, IN advancing the
interests Of the state.
The Judge occupied an hour and fif.
teen minutes, was given careful atten-
ton throughout and received generous
applauSr on taking his seat
Then Gov Davis was introduced by
the chairman and il became vt once
evident that the room had breD gpner-
onsly packed with Davis shoutrrs
While there were good men there who
were partisans IT he governor, yet the
bulk Of those who used their ,ung power
for him were not of the class Of people
that are termed rs best citizens, in
fact, from more than one source We
heard that whiSkry furnished good
portion of the Davis enthusiasm. An.
other tniug which showed the lack of
manners and fairness on the part of n
good portion Of the Davis Hdherants
was the manner in which they crowded
FROM the hall as soon as the governor
had flushed speaking, not deignng to
near Mr., Wood 5 rejoinder
Right from the beginning Of the gov.
rrnor + address 1t was evident that no
Que need expect to see him take any
advanced ground in support of his claim
for nomination for a third term Those
who have heard thu governor before
know that personalities are his slruug
st weapons and that the arraying Of
he farmers against the residents of the
towns is what he relies upon t. make
him votes II has done 80 in the past,
but We have too much faith IN the good
sense of our people to believe II will in
the future, We do not believe Davis
made u single vote by his address here,
he led of with his old cry Of needing
vindication of his good character, which
re claimed had been wantonly Ms.
sailed 10y the legislature and the press
Of the state, Az respects, the latter be
paid his respects IN not 'ery cOmpli.
mentary manner 10 this paper, but it's
representatives present, knowing what
4 thorn It WAS in the side Of some of the
Davis boosters here and that the hit dog
generally II the one that howls, did not
lose any sleep over this, While II might
have made Mr. Davis feel better to
work of this spleen, 1t certainly failed
TO b. OF any benefit To him He went
over the grounds Of the antitrust legis
Mtion, making the supreme court IN
general aud Judge Wood IN particular
the scape.goat for It's failure, He defend.
ed his pardoning record not mnding