The Newark journal. (Newark, Ark.) 1901-1959, 1908-02-28
THE CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION
What the Batesvile Guard Thinks
About Hon. w. A. OldfleId

II
twelve years, will not stand for re-
election, but will retire to private life,
fora time at least, at the expiration
of his present term. Mr. Brundidge
deserves much credit for his services
during his long term of Office He has
ever stood consistently and faithfully
for Democratic principles: his party
loyalty has never been questioned, and
he has performed yoeman service in
every campaign for nearly quarter
of century. His ability has been
recognized, not only by his home peo-
pie, but by his party associates at
Washington, as we'll. While he has
served his party generally we'll, he has
4served his home district equally well
In particulr. Largely through his un-
firing effort 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
substantial Federal Building. of which
Batesville is justly proud, and which
would do honor to a city much larger
than ours. is monument to his in
dustry in looking after the interest of
his home people. He has shown per-
sonal favors and courtesies as he has
had opportunity.
On the 4th of March, 1909, he will re-
turn to private life with the grateful
thanks OF his people for his faithful
work.
But the vital question before this
district just now is, Who shall be his
SUCCESSOR? It is highly important that
the right man be chosen. The Guard
is frank to say that, in,its opinion, the
candidate now befa-.~-s--i-- .leli..- f.4,...
that high Office best fitted to represent
all the interests of our people is our
fellow-townsman, Hon. w. A. Oldfeld.
In giving expression to this opinion
we believe we voice the sentiment of
the vast majority of our readers. Mr..
Oldfeld is a young man sober and in
dustrious habits; of much energy and
native ability. Starting, as he did,
in life as country boy, without
money or influential friends, he has by
hard toll, at the early age of 80, at
tanned high standing at the bar, his
chosen profession. He was born, and
his whole life has been spent in this
Congressional District; be received his
education in the country schools of
lard 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
wear 1900 he entered actively in the
practice of his profession in our city.
The Batesville Bar has ever stood
deservedly high in the legal profession
of the State, and it speaks much for
Mr. Oldtield 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 well he dis
charged the duties of that Office. When
speculation in cotton futures-ths
farmers worst foe-was being practic-
ed openly and with impunity elsewhere
in the State, Mr.. Oldfeld, when first
it showed its head in our city, vigor-
ously and successfully prosecuted to
final conviction in the Supreme Court
those who would assist to fix fcti-
tious price upon our staple crop.
He has the distinction of convicting
more "blind tiger cases that any
other prosecuting attorney the district
has ever had. In short, although we
have had able prosecuting attorneys
in that Office in the past, it is generally
conceded that the district never had a
more vigorous or successful prosecu.
tor than Mr.. Oldfeld proved himsel1
to be.
Two years ago Mr.. Oldfeld sought
the same Office to which he now aspires
and while he made many friends al
over the district, he gave Mr.. Brun
didge very hard race, but was de
feated. 1t is true in that race he me
with some opposition at home, just al
many other candidates have done
That was due to several reasons. Mr.