The Green Forest tribune., 1912-09-06
JOE 1. ROBINSON DEFINES POSITION
 ON PROHIBITION AND OTHER ISSUES
IN SPEECH BEFORE MONSTER A LoNokE BARBECUE DECLARES LOCAL OPTION AGAINST IL BILL a-sEvEN THOUSAND HEARD VARIOUS SPEAKERS.

one has emphatic convictions regard ing it. If majority of the voters in the September election think that the time has come for the passage of statewide prohibition law in Arkansas and so express themselves, I will eX- haust all the authority of the gov ernor's office ill an effort to enforce the law, and if additional authority be necessary 1 will ask the legislature to confer it on the executive. 1 do not want to be governor of a state where the laws are openly held in con- tempt Many believe that it is better to recognize local conditions and local sentiment than to force upon com munities laws which are objectionable to them. If I were governor of a state which had enacted statewide prohi- bition, and open saloons were run in contemptuous disregard of the law, would either resign or find the means of enforcing it. Vote your conscience and your judgment on this question. and l will do my best to see that your will be executed"
 Mir. Robinson strongly advocated the Democratic state and national plat forms, and discussed the record of the Republican party. Concerning the power of the people to determine po- litical questions, he said:
 This is a period of advancement. The progress of our times is illustrat- ed by the assertion of authority by the people themselves and it's concession by those who assume to be their rep resentatives. This, to me, is a hope ful indication 1t points to the ex- pansion of popular liberty and the consequent happiness and prosperity of the general public. It will destroy those selfish influences which are at once so powerful and unconscionable as to disregard the sufferings of hu- manity and to scoff at all efforts in behalf of political reforms. Many frankly contradict, others secretly mistrust, the capacI, of the people to govern. Let me assent to and af- firm with emphasis and conviction, this doctrine of the corner stone of all | democratic institutions. We must be- , lieve this principle and teach it, to re- flute the political heresy that govern ment is the province of superior class"
 It was a great day for Lonoke. Everybody in Lonoke county seems proud of Our Joe," and the way in which his speech was received by thousands of home neighbors and friends attested the very high esteem in which he is held.
 Other speeches were made by Sec retary of State Earle w. Hodges, Col. ] Sam Taylor, candidate for congress, Ben L. Griffin, and Dr. Chas. Hillman Brough, and all speeches were well received
 There was plenty of gaity, plenty of music by the First Regiment band, ball games and other amusements to please the immense throng that gath cred in Lonoke on this gala day. The little city did herself proud in caring for the crowd which exceeded all ex- pectations. To give some idea of the vast feast which was served, it was reported by the committee that the following purchases had been made: 6S00 pounds of meat, 5000 loaves of bread, 800 pounds of cake, 20 gallons of pickles The tables were cleaned up as completely as if they had been swept by a cyclone, although there seemed to be sufficient for the crowd.