The Forrest City times., 1905-10-20
SPEECH BY GOV. DAVIS.

If Gov. Davis had held to his first purpose, and not been present at Roosevelt's reception at Little Rock, and had made the speech al Cave City, here is the speech he would have made.
 Friends and Fellow Citizens = While the high-collared roosters and blue-blooded aristocracy are hobnob- ping today at Little Rock with the chief executive of this nation, l have by choice come out here to speak to you. and be with you and hear your applause lapplause.1 l had rather be out here with the deer peepul and eat corn bread and sow-belly than to mix with the proud and pretentious at Little Rock, eat blue points and drink champagne. Loud applause and cries of hurrah for Jef.1 l even hate to go as your senator to Washington because il will take me away from the com mon people whom l so much love. Why, friends, was born a ared-neck and raised hill Billy never knew any thing else until went to Little Rock, and l have felt out of place every where in that town except at Gari- baldi's. l keep my dogs yet, and by the eternal I will never part from them-l had rather hear the growl of a cur dog than to hear the sweetest music 1 ever heard. l had rather be with you people to-day than to be in the society of the president-to hell with such society anyway. l would have to wear my coat and put on d collar and tie, and think of it, my fellow citizens, l might be forced to take bath. Cries of God forbid. But l will never do it-l would see Teddy Roosevelt and his gang of CO horts further in h-l thad a jay bird could fly in four thousand virgin sum mers before l would allow myself tC forget the customs and traditions oi my peope-Ie Gods and little fishes me take a bath-never, as long as my name is Jeff Davis.
 But, my friends, have come hert today not so much ill the interest ol my race for the senate as to tell you that you should not elect Bob Rogers your Governor. Shall l tell you why Then listen Fellow citizens, that fellow has dared to oppose me eVei since he set foot on Little Rock soil He even went so far as to try to hin der me from making that railroad tax compromise, and you all know that l fixed that assessment myself and had a right to change it. But, my friends, this fellow Rogers is an ingrate and a scoundrel, insubordinate and an insur- rectionist. He has never been subject 10 my rule and dictation as he should be, and all know that when any public man in Arkansas refuses to be guided by my instructions and obey my orders in detail, he al once becomes the cor rupt tool of the infamous boodler, al unsafe and dangerous man. (Iells o1 ''go after 'em, Jeff.'0 If you vote fol Rogers remember it will be done il violation of my wishes and you must take the awful consequences,
 But. my friends, when those silk stocking devils at Little Rock wanted me to stay and help welcome the presi dent | told them that l would neHe sit at table with Powell Clayton had rather he in the society of Poml Brown or Bill Faucette or Dr. John son. Besides, the dog-fennel at Cav, City is sweeter 10 my nostrils thaI the odor of the Mareschal NielS a Little Rock: the jimpson weeds tha grow in your fence corners are as dea 10 my heart as the lilly's that line II Arno.
 Il appeal 10 you my dear people [, sand by your guns. Elect me you United States Senator. will see tha everything possible is done for you Whats old Jim Berry ever done fo you any way-I have nothing to Sd. against him, even if he did lose hi
 
 leg in a saw mill accident and not il the army-I will not abuse him or miS represent him, but you know he is al internal old rascal who would have been in hell twenty years ago if h, had had his dues.
 These, my fellow citizens. are m, sentiments. They come from my heart If you think am worthy hold up m! hands, stand by me in this awful fight they are making on me-give me you vote and your influence and I promise you now to take every one of my nine dogs with me to Washington when go, and send every single sack of garden seed I can find back to my friends iI grand old Arkansas Loud and pro,