The Mena weekly star., 1907-02-07
SENATOR DAVIS
 ANSWERS RHOTON
Denies the Statement That He Tried to 0b. tain Immunity For Boodlers and Asks Some Redhot Questions =
 Davis May Be indicted.

rom fIOSSCutinR AttOiuSy NuO~ ton, declining the offer ot former Governor Jeff Davis services in the prosecution of poodle cases, ex-Governor Davis denies the accusations made by Rhoton against him. He declares that MT. Rhoton's statement that he (Davisl tried to defeat him for reelection as prosecuting attor- ney is without foundation.
 Governor Davis also declares that he did not offer immunity to M. D. l.. Cook or T. L. Cox. MT. Rhoton, in his letter, declared that Davis asked and insisted that he offer Cook and Cox im- uunity if they would give evil dence upon which to iudict a certain man. In reply to this charge Governor Davis says:
 
 "Neither can l permit to go un challenged his statement that l offered immunity to M. D. l.. Cook or T. l.. Cox, to both of whom he seems to have given inn munity. I never made such a statement as this, UT anything kindred to 1t, to Mir. Rhoton in my life, and he we'll knows it."
 Governor Davis charges Mr. Rhoton was moving too slowly iu the prosecution of the booale cases, and repeats the declaration made in his recent message that if be were governor and no other convictions had occurred at the end of six months, he would par don former Senator Butt, who is now serving term in the peni- tentiary for boodling.
 Excerpts From Davis Letter
 In the letter addressed to At torney General Kirby, Davis, among other things, says:
 ''Mr. Rhoton 'dubs' me a volunteer in the matter of assist ing in the prosecution of the boodlers in our state. To this accusation I cutter the plea of guilty. I rendered you my ser vices, first to help you, and secondly that might make good my word to the people of the state that these boodlers should have a vigorous and speedy prose- cution.
 have never yet made a promise to the people of Arkansas that I have not faithfully en- deavored to carry out, and l am only prevented from doing so in this case by what appears from Mir. Rhoton's letter to be very bad case of biliousness on his part.
 I cannot let pass, however, the statement that l attempted to defeat him after he had re- ceived the nomination with a Republican in the last general election. However much l may have thought that he ought to have been defeated, my Democ' racy would not permit me to raise my voice against him.
 Neither can I permit to go un- challenged his statement that l offered immunity to M. D. l., Cook or to T. l.. Cox, to both of whom he seems to have given immunity. l never made such a statement as this, or anything kindred 10 it, to MT. Rhotou iu my life, and he we'll knows it. Neither did ever tell him thai it was votes that 1 was after iu' stead of convictions in these cases or that I was afraid that if were publicly known in the prosecution that the Legislature might impeach me.
 I would like, however, to sub mt, through you, to MT. Rhoton a few simple inquiries:
 First-Why has not T. L. Cox, a confessed boodler and bribe-giver, been indicted; also why has he not indicted Caldwell & Drake, who are confessed boodlers and bribe-givers1
 Second-Why has he not triee M. D. l.. Cook, against whom am informed, three indictments are now pending, and l asser