The Harrison times., 1911-10-07
JOE 7. ROBINSON.
An Interview snd Review by an Obselv.r.

l
public trust oftcntimes doc not re-
ceive the consideration once accord.
ed the aSpirant to public office.
THIS is due, no doubt. that many OF
our public Offices are filled. not by
men particularly fitted by character
and ability therefor, but by meu
who have been raised to such posi-
tions by Il succession of events in
which wealth, influence and un-
scrupulous methods were the prin-
cIple factors.
At such a time it is refreshing 10
hear OF a man who, while aspiring
to one of the highest Offices within
the gift of the people, has the quail
hcations necessary for its occupancy
and proper supervision Such a man
is Joe T. Robinson, of Lonoke, can
didatc for the Democratic nomi-
nation for Governor of Arkansas.
There has been nothing meteoric
about Mr. Robinson's public career;
his political advancement having
come naturally as the result of hon
est and efficient services.
His early life was spent on a farm
and it was there that he managed
by studying evenings To obtain a
fair education. Later he studied at
the State University and at the Uni
versity of Virginia, at which insti-
tutions his ability as an orator and
debater was readily recognized. He
was elected to the Legislature in
1895 and was the author of a rail-
road commission bill which, though
narrowly defeated, influenced legis-
lation to such an extent that the
ultimate result was the establish.
ment of our railroad commission.
For several years Mr.. Robinson
has represented the Sixth District of
Arkansas in Congress Here his
faithful application to the duties of
his district and Of the state, and his
foresight in discuss questions Of
national import, have won for him
the confidence of his colleagues. The
Hon. Champ Clark, Speaker of the
House Of Representatives, recently
expressed the opinion that Mr.. Rob
inson is one of the most forcible and
and effective debaters in Congress
In recognition Of his influence and
ability in Congress, he was appoint
ed chairman of the committee on
public lands His bill providing for
the leasing OF coal lands in Alaska,
is believed by many to offer solu-
tion Of the Alaska problem, and has
been unqualihedly indorscd by lead
ers of the conservation movement,
including Mr.. Pinchot and Mr.
Roosevelt
In his campaign for Governor, Mr..
Robinson is extremely candid in his
arrangement OF the prerent system
of maintaining many of our state
institutions Recognizing the injus-
tice of a system that permits pull
to be used, when managed by un-
scrupnlous public servants, and re-
alizing that such a system can only
be abolished by the people through
fair elections, he urges the passage
of Corrupt Practice act. This
measure to be so drawn as to pre-
vent the expenditure of large sums
of money by candidates or their
friends to control elections In this
connection he also advocates a re-
vision of the election laws so that
election officers will not be appoint
ed by candidates as now happens
when members of the state board of
election commissioners are candi-
dates for reelection.
While realizing the need of a more
uniform system OF taxation, Mr.
Robinson is conservative when it
comes to discussion Of the funda-
mental principle of all government
He believes in handling the states
finances much as a successful fnan.
cier would manage a private busi-
ness; restricting the appropriations
for the expense Of the State govern
ment to the actual income Of the
state, and not spending every
thing in the treasury and mortgage
ing the future; and besides cash has
always had a greater purchasing
power than a credit basis.
He declares that while the Turner
Jacobson hill was designed, no
doubt, to secure greater uniiornity Of
taxation, it i is so ID drsr rrsrwn as 70 in.
crease taxation, thereby encourage
ing the already increasing tendency
to over-appropriation. Like Repub-
lcan tariff revision, he maintains