The Green Forest tribune., 1908-03-27
ttNever Scratched a Ticket

The following from the Eureka Springs Times of last week, while a little biased politically, fur nishes some good food for thought:
 Just now it is not infrequent that the expression: "I never scratched a ticket" may be heald either on the stump, or read in some candidates circular. This expression is made use of in order to sum up in a nutshell one's party loyalty. Whatever may be the value of such a person as this to his country is problem not susceptible of arithmetical solution, but one for algebra where minus quantities are permissible.
 It is needless to philosophize, or to enter into any extensive analysis of this expression to make its meaning tlear. In short it means this: "It makes no difference what kind of a reprobate 1 find on my ticket; it makes no difference how unworthy he is; it makes no difference how much fraud, whiskey and even ballot-box thievery it took to get his name on my ticket, I have not in the past and will not in the future refuse to vote for him. In fact I will vote for "yaller dog" if he is on my ticlet.'
 Then again, it is not uncommon to hear an expression like this: "We are sure going to elect Bryan this time. ' All right, dear reader, for the sake of argument, only let it be admitted that there may be some possibility of Bryan's election in this good year 1908. Now ask yourself the question eff Bryan is elected, who shall have the credit for it?" It will certainly not be the man who never scratched a ticket" If Bryan should be elected have to vote differently from what they did in 1904, somebody will have to "scratch" their ticket.
 It is a fact; it cannot be denied; it is self-evident truth, that long con- tinued official power by reason of over whelming maiorities, when nominations are considered equal to an election. give rise to political machines and eventually corruption will follow in all political parties. It has been the case ia such Republican states as Massa- chusetts, Kansas, Iowa and Pennsyl- vania. Here, too, the sure remedy has been applied by patriotic men who have scratched their tickets and handed the affairs of state over to the Demo- crats where it staid until the dominant party rided itself of machines and boss ism, and thus purging itself the party again resumes charge stronger than ever. This has also been the case in such bourbon Democratic states as Missouri and Kentucky.
 Why not Arkansas fall into line? Politics in Arkansas the past six or eight years have been Davis and anti Davis. But few men who ask for of flee have better reason for it than they are for Davis, or against Davis. Nothing could be more natural than that the best interest of the people will be entirely overlooked as long as these conditions prevail. Each faction knows beyond the per adventure of a doubt (taking their own words for it) that the other fellow is rascal, bood- Ter and a scoundrel; but, when the primaries are over, notwithstanding all kinds of fraud may have been used, we are confronted with the fellow who "never scratched a ticket" and the usual majorities are rolled up in September.
 But there is ray of hope that these conditions will not always exist. Even here in Carroll county the limit has been reached and brave, patriotic Dem- ocrats who believe that their party owes something to the voter as well as the voter to the party, have scratched their ticket and given their support to such men as John 1 Worthington, Oscar Grim and A. J Russell.
 The man who never scratched his ticket has but little to his credit in the way of bringing about reforms in his party. The conditions in Arkansas are certainly ripe for the honest, brave, patriotic voter to stop and consider the object and value of the ballot.
 speaking of the present situation in Arkansas, Congressman Brundidge o1 this state said in Washington last Thursday:
 "Never before in the history of the state has there been such a round o1 charges, and counter-charges, nor suct general use of the terms lie and liar.
 "My opinion is that the state vii suffer greatly if these practices are tc continue, for they are an insult to the intelligence of its citizenship ane sooner or later I look for an emphatic and proper resentment at the hands 0. the. intelligent voters.
 Kentucky is today in the hands 0. the Republicans largely because O. machine rule and machine politics Arkansas has been long and patien sufferer"
 There is only one sure remedy iol the evils of which MT. Brundige speak and that remedy lies in the hands O men who will bravely face the situation and do their. duty at the polls.