The Mena weekly star., 1908-01-09
THE TOURNAMENT
 OF CANDIDATES
McFarlane, Kirby and Hinemon Break Lances in Efforts to Puncture
 Armour of Opponents.
'DIGS'FOR THE ABSENT ONE
Efforts Made to Discredit Donaghey in His Capitol Fight and Union
 Labor Record.

AS dnnOunCeu pIeVlousiys lHS speaking by candidates for gov ernor of Arkansas began at about 1:50 Saturday afternoon at the Davis opera house.
 Mayor Olney called the meet ing to order and introduced k. w. McFarlane, who was to first present his claims to the voters of Polk county. A large portion of his address was delivered against Donaghey, the fourth candidate for governor, who has at all times refused to meet and discuss the political issues with the other three.
 McFarlane "Skins" Donaghey.
 MT. McFarlane's attack on Donaghey was at the same time defense of the new state capitol commission of which he is mem Der, as Donaghey is making the alleged fraud in the construction of the capitol buildiag the main issue of his campaign. McFar lane, being thus placed on the defensive, his strongest point is that the capital Investigating committee, consisting of fourteen members of the last legislature, worked on the case for 100 days, had Donaghey before them for twenty-two of these, listened to his complaints, and then, by their printed report showed that his charges were not sustained and that they did not believe Dona- ghey's statements made before them under oath.
 McFarlane- also took consider. able time in showing the immense amount of money Donaghey was spending iu the campaign, claim ing that every circular he sent out over the state cost him $2, 800 and that he had sent cut several.
 Donaghey Employed Non-Union Labor.
 Replying to Donaghey's claim that he is friend to labor organ izatious, McFarlane read resolu- tious from a number of labor organizations over the state deny ing this claimed friendship and condemning Donaghey, charging that as contractor for many buildings in the state he had none but non.union labor.
 ~- The speaker stated that he had said more about Donaghey than in all his previous speeches put together, but it was only because after three months of earnest efforts he had given up hope of ever getting Donaghey before him.
 One of MT. McFarlane's pet blanks is to have district fairs established in every district, with prizes for the best exhibits; the prize winner to write thesis as to his method of producing the prize exhibit, these papers to be formed into text books to be placed iu the schools of our state.
 Kirby Unpopular at Home.
 Attorney General Kirby, who has the distinction it is said, of being unpopular iu his own com munity, being opposed by his home paper at Texarkana, and in behalf of whom Senator Davis sent telegrams to Mena prior to his arrival here asking the boys to line up for him "because it means much to Kirby and to me- (Davis), was the next speaker. MT. Kiroy has quite flowery mau ner of speaking and made good address. He advocated the cleo ton by the people of the lieuten- ant governor instead of permit ing the state senate under the influence of the Iron Mountain lobby 10 select the man who shall be our governor in case of the regularly elected governor vacat' ing the office for any cause.
 Thinks Criminals Badly Treated.
 MT. Kirby spoke against the convict lease system, charging that the unfortuua ate criminals in our penitentiary were badly treated and that the state had made bad deal in leasing them out. He wished to see them put on the state farm, where they could raise cotton and other pro- ducts and not be employed or public works where they would come into competition with free men who were on public works.
 Mr. Kirby favored the election of penitentiary board. At the present time this board is com posed of the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, audit or and treasurer, and MT. Kirby hatiayae if a,ould he hetter to take