The Harrison times., 1912-04-06
LITTLE ROCK LETTER.
LITTLE Rock, April, 9th ~

the old proverbial smoke will not
answer in this case as a more mod
ern ammunition was used, and 1t
does not make smoke when it burns
there remains only to be told some
of the causes for the landslide for
Robinson, There smoothing now but
glori6cation for the victors and Ia
mentation for the vanquished.
Having visited every section OF
the state within a month previous
to the primaries, and watched the
changing Of conditions, can give
but one reason for the defeat of Gov.
Donaghey-his failure to play poll
ties. Overcon6dence might have
contributed bit early in the game,
but sometime before the election
Gov Donaghey realized what ahght
he had on his hands and gamely
buckled to the task, Even then he
declined to play politics He tried
to ride into office on ideals and found
the people looking rather for person
al gain than for the ends to be gain
ed through following the notices OF
the old writing tablets,
Gov. Donaghey fought his way IN
to office, and no matter whether he
was right or wrong, took with him
into Office the enmity fpcoplc OF IN
huencc in the state who were never
known to quit fighting He was
the hero of certain clique when he
was inauguratcd, which thought it
would dictate affairs Of state They
found early in the regime that aman
was on the job who was going to do
what he thought right for the state
This turned many against him who
had been his warmest supporters,
Fellow townSmcn and kinsmen were
among those who deserted the Coy
crnor at this time,
During two sessions Of the legisla-
ture Gov Donaghey fought for prln-
ciples. II made new enemies at ey-
cry turn, Each of these enemies be-
came an active worker against the
Governor While they could not be
forced to admit it, each Of these men
knew the Governor was making a
fight for the people and not for HIM
self, In addition to this Gov Don
aghcy declined many things which
friends asked for, which could not
have injured the state, and would
have benefited the follower, He dc.
clined to play politics with his Office
In this manner the most influential
men in practically every county in
the state turned against Gov, Don
aghey,
Then the campaign opened, The
active workers in each county were
augmented by prominent men who
had personal reasons for supporting
Zoe T, Robinson, They were either
close personal friends relatives, or
they had already pledged their sup.
port to Robinson before the final
line up in the gubcrnatorioI contest
was announced, The managers of
the Robinson campaign began by
putting the governor on the defense
at the first shot of their gun, and as
soon as he made effort to answer
one, they brought in new issue and
kept him continually explaining.
They started with the State Capital,
rang in the Turner. Jacobson bill with
the cry Of increased taxes which is a
red nag in the face Of the small prop
erty owner, jugglcd the figures TO
show the governor was TO blame
for the financial condition Of Ar
kansas today, and with almost the
same breath they charged him with
being a cold blooded monster for
vctong many of the reckless appro'
priatious made by the legislature,
Gradually, but surely the opposit'
ion drove Gov Donaghcy TO n de-
claration for State Wide Prohibition,
Naturally inclined in that direction,
the governor took up the gauntlet
and carried the fight to the buIwork
Of the oppositjon Then the oppo.
sition discrcditcd the sincerity of
GOV, Donoghcy in his stand for pro.
hibition, and so split the prohibition
ranks that the fight along this line
was against the Governor instead
Of the prohibition forces aiding him
From closely watching the situa-
ton, / believe that it was Just be.
fore he made his declaration for
Statewide Prohibition that Gov,
Donaghey realized he was doomed
to defeat Gov D0nNghey is one of
the best political judges the state
has ever had, lie can look over the
state and come very near telling
what is going to happen, Many
things which happened about this