The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1912-04-04
ANALYzES CAUSE
OF LANDSLIDE
DONACHEY'S LONG FIGHT
GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED BY
A WELLKNOWN ARKANSAS
NEWSPAPER MAN.
BY A. w. PARKE.

Little Rock, April Now that the
steam has died away from the recent
Democratic primary-the old proven
bal smoke will not answer in this
case as a modern ammunition was
when it burns-there remains only tc
be told some of the causes for the
| landslides for Robinson. There is
nothing now but glorifcation for the
victors and lamentation for the van
pushed.
Having visited every section within
a month previous to the primaries
and watched the changing of condi-
tions, | can give but one reason fol
the defeat of Governor Donaghey-
his failure to play politics. Over-con-
fidence might have contributed a bill
early in the game, but sometime be-
fore the election Governor Donaghey
realized what fight 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 personal gain than for the ends
to be gained through following the
mottos of the old writing tablets.
Governor Donaghey fought his way
into Office, and no matter whether he
was right or wrong, took with him in
to office the enmity of people of influ-
ence in the state who were never
known to quit fighting. He was the
hero of a certain clique when he was
| inaugurated, which thought it would
dictate affairs of state. They found
early in the regime that a man was
on the job who was going to do what
turned many against him who had
been his warmest supporters. Fellow
tcwnsmen and kinsmen were among
those who deserted the governor at
this time.
| During two sessions of the legisla-
ture Governor Donaghey fought for
principles. He made new enemies at
every 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 d
| fight for the people, and not for him
self. In addition to this, Governor
Donaghey declined many things
which friends asked for, which could
, not have injured the state, and would
have proven highly beneficial to the
followers. He declined to play poll
tics with his office. In this manner
the most influential men in practic-
ally every county in the state turned
against Governor Donaghey.
Then the campaign opened. The
active workers in each county were
augmented by prominent men who
had personal reasons for supporting
Joe T. Robinson. They were either
close personal friends, relatives, OF
had pledged their support to Robin.
son before the final line up in the CUB.
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 an.
swer one, they brought in a new issue
and kept him continually explaining
They started with the state capitol
rang in the Turner-Jacob bill with
the cry of increased taxes, which is a
red flag in the face of the small prop,
erty owner; juggled the figures to
show the governor was to blame fol
the financial condition of Arkansas
today, and with almost the same
breath they charged him with being
a cold-blooded monster for vetoing
many of the reckless appropriations
made by the legislature.
Gradually, but surely, the opposi.
| ton drove Governor Donaghey to g
declaration for statewide prohibition
Naturally inclined in that direction
the governor took up the gauntlet anc
carried the fight to the bulwark of the
opposition. Then the opposition un.
dertook to discredit the sincerity OF
Governor Donaghey in his stand fol
prohibition, and so split the prohibi
ton ranks that the fight along this
line was against the governor, in
stead of the prohibition forces aiding
him.
From closely watching the situa
ton, l believe that it was just before
| he made his declaration for statewide
prohibition that Governor Donaghey
realized he was doomed to defeat
Governor Donaghey is one of the bes
political judges the state has eve
had. He can look over the state ant
come very near telling what is goins
to happen. Many things which hap
pened about this time, convince mt
that Governor Donaghey determined
to hit straight from the shoulder fol
prohibition, again throwing politics tt
the wind. He did not grab at thu
prohibition plank in his platform a!
a drowning man would a straw. H,
apparently knew that it meant GER
tain defeat when he discontinued hi.