The Green Forest tribune., 1904-03-26
PRIMARY ELECTION TODAY.
Gnnte st for Governor about Over
 Shadows Everything Else.

Shadows Everything Else.
 Because of the fact that a democratic nomination is regard Sed.as equivalent to an election, great interest is usually mani fested by every body in the out come of democratic primaries in both county and state, and the election to be held today is no ex- ception to the rule.
 !, &Throughout the state most every contest is second to the one between the candidates for gov Iernor. The issues between Gov. Davis and Judge Wood are so strong and bitter. that the dis ,appointment that will be felt by M0dsands of voters will know no bounds, no matter which one is victorious, and it is going to take some time and diplomacy both to heal the wounds that defeat is sure to bring.
 Viewing the situation from a disinterested standpoint, it ap- pears that the democracy of the state will be left in better shape should Judge Wood be triumph ant. The issue, or contest rath- CT, is more between the Davis and Rani- Davis factions than it is be- tween the two candidates. There has grown to be quite senti- ment among the followers of Gov. Davis that Judge Wood is a bad man, but this feeling is undoubt- edly only an out-cropping of the fierce fight waged against him by Gov. Davis in his ''strenuous" form of campaigning. Any man { who is disposed to stand up again st Gov. Davis is of necessi- ty painted in such a light. Judge Wood has stood this on slought of impeachment of char acter as well, or better possibly, than any other man who could have been brought out against Coy. Davis.
 Using a common form of ex- pression, we believe Judge Wood is a clean mana thorough Chris in gentleman, in fact and a man capable in every re- spect of making the state an hon. frable chief executive. From a bare foot boy of humble parent ago, he worked his way through school and graduated at our own state university. His somewhat t extended record of public service hasSbeen less faulty than the average man who has had to do with Arkansas politics.
 Whatever may be the real character and virtues of Gov. Davis, there are thousands of people, including a good per cent of the democratic voters, who be- lieve he has been corrupt in his administration of the affairs of the State and "vindication" of him by an indorsement of the party for third term is not going to change their opinions one whit; and a vast number of these will be constrained to ad- minister a rebuke to the party by going a fishing or actually voting against him at the general elec- tion in September. While it is not pro bable that this rebellion may be far reaching enough to ' accomplish Gov. Davis defeat, yet Such state of affairs is not to be desired by those who are in- terested in party harmony. On the other hand should Judge Wood be nominated the breach created would not be nearly sd great.
 This is simply a philosophical view of the situation. Strictly speaking, the result of this con- te6E&Or governor is a matter of SmRlEroncern to THE TRIBUNE. < We thke 1t that if the democratic party is disposed to nominate Gov. Davis for a third term and the people then elect him in Sep tember, we (the people, will have Just such a governor. as we de- sefxe. Should we then decide to elevate him to the United States senate, retiring Senator Berry, Alt WAll and uQnd If hnwauar