Sharp County record., 1908-03-20
THE CONGRESSIONAL
SITUATION.

finally known that Hon. S. Brundidge,
our Representative in Congress TOR
twelve years, will not stand for
reelection, but will retire to private
life, for time at least, at the explra-
ton of his present term. Mr.. Brun-
didge deserves much credit for his
services during his long term of Of
flee. He has ever stood consistently
and faithfully for Democratic princl-
pies; his party loyalty has never been
questioned, and he has performed
yoeman service in every campaign for
nearly a quarter of century. His
ability has been recognized, not only
by his home people, buy by his
party associates at Washington, as
we'll. While he has served his party
generally well, he has served his home
district equally well in particular.
Largely through his untiring efforts
magnificent system of Locks and
Dams on Upper White River, which
will prove Of untold benefit to this
entire section Of the state, has been
inaugurated. The beautiful and sub
stantial Federal building, Of which
Batesville is justly proud, and which
would do honor to city much larger
than ours, is monument to his in
dustry in looking after the interests
of his home people. He has shown
personal favors and courtesies as he
has had opportunity.
On the 4th of March, 1909, he will
return to private life with the CRATE
full thanks of his people for his faith
full work.
But the vital question before this
district just now is, Who shall be his
successor? 1t is highly important
that the right man be chosen. The
Guard is frank to say that, in it's
opinion, the candidate now before the
public for that high office best fitted
to represent all the interests of our
people is our fellow-townsman, Hon.
w. A. Oldield. In giving expression
to this opinion we believe we voice
the sentiment of the vast majority of
our readers. Mr.. Oldfield is a young
man of sober and Industrious habits;
Of much energy and native ability.
Starting, as he did, in life as a coun-
try boy, without money or influential
friends, he has by hard toll, at the
early age of 35, attained a high stand
ing at the bar, his chosen profession.
He was born, and his whole life has
been spent in this Congressional Dis
trict; he received his education in the
country schools of lizard county and
at Arkansas College, in our city, from
which institution he graduated in the
year 1896. He then spent several
years in the school room as teacher,
after which he attended the law
school Of the University of Virginia,
and upon his return, in the year 1900,
ne entered actively in the practice of
his profession in our city. The Bates
vile Bar has ever stood deservedly
high in the legal profession of the
State. and it speaks much for Mr..
Oldfeld that he is now recognized as
one of the foremost lawyers of our
city. He served this Judicial Circuit
as her prosecuting attorney for four
years with much distinction, the court
records speaking how we'll he dis
charged the duties Of that office.
When speculation in cotton futures
the farmers worst foe-was being
practlced openly and with impunity
elsewhere in the State, Mr.. Oidfeld,
when first it showed it's head in our
city, vigorously and successfully pros
ecuted to final conviction in the Su-
preme Court those who would assist
to fix a fictitious price upon our
staple crop. He has the distinction
of convictng more "Blind Tiger"
cases than any other prosecuting at
torney the district has ever had. In
short, although we have had able
prosecuting attorneys in that Office in
the past, 1t is generally conceded that
the district never had a more vigor-
Gus or successful prosecutor than Mr..
Oldfeld proved himself to be.
Two years ago Mr., Oldfed sought
the same office to which he now as
pires, and while he made many
friends all over the district, he gave
Mr.. Brundidge very hard race, but
was defeated. II Is true in that race
ne met with some opposition at home,
Just as many other candidates have
done. That was due 10 several reas-
ons. Mr.. Brundidge had done much
for the people Of Batesville and Inde.
pendence county, as we have already
pointed out, and was deservedly pop
ular here. Many Of our people felt
that Mr.. Oldfeld, a young man, could
easily wait two years longer, and
then, too, the general political align
ment Of that campaign Is happily no
longer Q controlling factor In our poll
tics. Mr.. 0ldfeld took his defeat In
such a manly and digniAed manner,
and has 10 ereditably conducted him
self since, that many who were then
most strongly against him are now
numbered among his staunchest sup
Iporters. Independence county stands
with him in this race and will give
him q large majority on election day.
Having come from an humble sta
tion In life, he knows and sympathizes
with the great body of citizenship.