Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-03-08
ARE
 ARRIVING HERE Big Fight For Agricultural School Expected to Dev- elop at Meeting Today. TWO TOWNS WANT IT Says They ''Toted Fair" -FOrdyce Will COntest-Stutt-
 gart May Apply.
TWO TOWNS WANT IT

What gives promise of being one of the most stubborn contests record ed in official circles in this section for many days, will be the fight to schools, which are to be established by the state within the next few months, at meeting to be held at ? o'clock this afternoon at the office of Judge James Gould, chairman of the Fourth District school board, and at which Monticello and Fordyce will "mix it. A big delegation of citi- zens, headed by Judge z. T. Wood, arrived last night from Monticello and will make a determined effort to compel the board to stand by it's agreement, which the citizens of Mon ticello claim was made there a few weeks ago and in which the proposi- tion of the people, of Drew county was accepted. Immediately upon learning that the board had selected Monticello as the location for the proposed school the people of For dyce, Dallas county, rose up as a unit and declared their intentions of protesting against such final actions, declaring that they had been made the victim of "snap judgment" and that there was something radically wrong. Fordyce had been hard working aspirant for the school for weeks. To back up their conten- tions, a big delegation of Fordyce and Dallas county representatives will arrive this morning to be pres ent at the meeting.
 Upon receiving the protest of the Dallas county people against the boards sudden decision, Judge Gould called special meeting of the board to air the matter and to show his willingness to give all a fair chance to secure the school. It is understood that Stuttgart, which has developed some strength since the Fordyce protest was filed, will be dark horse" in the contest for the schoo, and will also send a delega- tion here.
 Judge Gould was not present at the Monticello meeting, when the board members, consisting of Judge I. A. Byrd, of Wilmar; Judge A. S. Sorrells, of .ElDorado, and H. B. Bowers of Jacksonville, went there and inspected the site agreed upon later. Judge Gould, Vice Chairman Bird says, was represented by proxy, held by Judge Sorrells w. M. Price, of Stuttgart, the other mem- Der of the board, was also absent. declare that no unfair influence was used to get the board to agree to give the school to their county. It was purely business proposition and done according to law, they say. The people of Monticello and Drew county have pledged themselves to give 200 acres of cleared farm land, donated by the Wells Realty Com pany, and bonus of $40,2OO, already subscribed, to bring the school there. The offer also carries with 1t an op- tion on 300 acres, which may be needed later. The board decided to locate the school on the old Judge Wells Sunny Lake farm, which con- tains $6,0O0 worth of new improve ments and which is said to be an ideal location for the state institu-. tion.
 In the Monticello delegation, which arrived last night, are Judge I. A. Bird, a member of the board; A. H. Gates, z IT. Wood, Lamar Williamson. George Lambert, Walter Wilson, J. c. Knox, J. c. Bain, of Portland; J. R. Beale and Harry Hankins.