The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1906-11-28

AIhatishs ne mac pard0ncQ OuG OF
1.-THE penitentiary, after he had lost
a lot of money on cotton futures,
committed forgery to get more
money to try to recover what he
had lost, then fed the country,
but was finally convicted and SEN
tended to prison.
He paid a warm tribute to the
Populist party and some of its
leaders of Is years ago, and said
they we're the storm signals of the
trust evil and other encroachments
on Democratic government which
have since overtaken the country,
and declared that the Democratic
party had finally stolen the best
part Of the Populist platform and
won them back into the Demo-
cratic fold. The Governor told
an amusing personal experience
of how as "a young, red headed,
freclSled face Democratic presi-
Dental elector" in Arkansas, in
1892, whom the moguls of the
party were introducing around in
every town he visited as Col.
jeff Davis escaped a disastrous
lJoint discussion with Cyclone
Davis. the noted Populist leader
of that time, because somebody
stole cyclones breeches in St.
Louis hotel and he couldn't meet
his appointment.
| Having been introduced to his
audience as the Governor of Ar
kansas and United States Senator
elect, Gov. Davis. said he could
not claim the latter until the Ar
kansas Legislature acts next jan
uary, and he might never go to
the Senate. But one thing, he
said, was certain-if he ever did
get there the farmers would have
one friend in that body who will
stand for their interests and make
himself heard in spite of the
trusts and the money power. Il
will not be in Washington long,
before they will find JEFF Davis is
in townl" said the speaker.
Further along in his speech the
Governor declared that what was
needed in the United States Senate
was not SO much party harmony
and senatorial courtesy, but a row
that would result In something to.
ward breaking loose the grip of
the money power and that when
he got there, with Bob Taylor, of
Tennessee, Ben Tillman, of South
Carolina, and j. X. Vardaman,
of Mississippi, the row will begin
in earnest. The Governor laid
much stress on the fact that the
farmers of his State were his
friends and mad always been his
loyal supporters and that he was
their friend, first last and all the
time.
He urged the farmers to organ
ize and cooperate for mutual pro-
lection as the best means of secur.
ing better prices for their prod
ucts and all of their rights. The
movement for county fair next
fall was strongly commended, and
the farmers we're promised that if
such an enterprise was inaugural
ed be would come back to Brook
haven and deliver the opening adj
dress.
Referring to himself, Gov.
Davis said be was not treated fair
| " by the newspapers of Arkansas,
which had created the impression
beyond the-State lines prejudicial
to him aud to the State. Arkan-
sas is out of debt, he said, does
not owe dollar, has $4,000, ,0O0
in her treasury, and her people
are prospering. He has been
accused of abusing the pardoning
power. If be has erred In this
respect it was to show mercy, and
to be merciful is to be like God
himself. Said he:
Never condemn or abuse any
man because he shows mercy. =
While dwelling on this point he
told of one incident that occurred
shortly after his return from the
Indian Territory. He said that
one morning there walked into his
Office a woman who was poorly
clad, carrying in her aims two
months old baby and leading an
eight year old girl who was bare
footed He said the woman hand
led him a greasy piece of paper
which was a petition for the par
ldon of her husband. While he
was looking at the paper he said
that the little girl came up and
put her arms around him and said
lin voice that was choked with
emotion, Mr.. Davis, please give
lne back my pappy. = The
Ispeaker said that it was one Of the
most touching incidents Of his life
land that he could not resist such
Iappeals as this and then and there
The wrote out the pardon. The
governor told the incident with
dramatic effect and it touched his
hearers. He said that he might
slhaun dann m,.nnrr and fhok orotho,
lin bis place might have acted
differently, but he could not resist
the dictates Of bis heart and The
Of those who were bowed
in sorrow and grief.
4 His speech was frequently ap
lplauded. When the governor
lclosed be said he wanted to shake
hands with bis hearers, and nearly
1.-THE whole audience filed by ths
lspeaker and shook bis hand.