The Harrison times., 1912-04-13
LITTLE ROCK LETTER.

Arkansas politics is the nearest
approach to perpetual motion that
has vet been discovered, No sooner
is the Democratic state primaries,
with its sensational contests, out
Of the way, than other political in
tcrests assume the center OF the
stage, and between local. state and
national politics the poor voter
finds himself most sadly buhcted,
Gov. Donaghey, who was more
overwhelmingly defeated by Con-
gresham Robinson than the Lo-
noke statesman 5 friends could have
expected, is taking his defeat philo-
Sophically, "Those who have tast-
ed the sweets of victory must be pre-
pared for the sting Of defeat is the
cheerful spirit with which he re-
sumeS actively the affairs of state,
He feels no resentment, is not sulk-
ing in his tent, and declares that
Mr., Robinson will have no more
ardent supporter than George W.,
Donaghey Since the election he
has gwen a great deal Of attention
to the necessities Of the flood suffer.
ers in the st, Francis basin and
along the Mississippi,
Had Gov, Donaghey been elected
to a third term, it was recognized
by all that he would have been a
lodgical candidate for the United
States Senate His defeat puts a
different aspect upon the situation,
and whether Donaghey may be con-
sidcrcd as eliminated from Arkan-
sas political consideration depends
upon the future, Mr., Robinson's
friends, however, openly assert that
he is now in line for the Senatorial
toga, and that should his admins.
tration be all that is expected of it,,
even jeff Davis will be unable TO de-
feat him for the Senatorial nomina.
tion,
1t seems almost certain that Sen.
ator James I. Clarks will be a can
didatc for reelection, although he
has made no public announcement
yet At the present time, there is
nothing to indicate any probable
opposition to him The friends Of
former Congressman Wallace, now
Of Hot Springs, some time ago
started some talk in his favor but
on a recent visit to Little Rock, he
declared that at the present time,
he has no intention Of re.entcring
politics, although he could not say
what the future might develop,
Senator jeff Davis, returned after the
fight of his life, by a reduced ma.
jority is in office for seven years yet,
and in that time many great men
may arise in the state not now be.
ing prominently before the public,
STATE LEGISLATURE,
A review OF the state legislature
reveals some interesting situations,
AS a rule, Donaghcy men and meas.
ures were defeated Some Of these
defeats were unexpected and very
significant Hon, X, +, Milwee, Of
Clarendon, Speaker Of the last
House, and Gov, Donaghey's former
campaign manager and floor leader,
was defeated for the Senate by a
Clarendon attorney Senator John
Green, of Union County, another
Don0ghey leader, was defeated for
reelection by !, Monroe Smith, a
former member Of the Senate, =, d,
Scott Of Van Burcn, was also de.
Icatcd for the Senate, Representa-.
tive Steve MendOr of Okolona, 4
strong supporter of the T,-J, bill,
was defeated for reelection as Rep
resentatiye Of Clark County al.
though his colleague, 10 lIardagc, a
Donaghcy leader, was returned,
The nomination Of Judge John Ike
Moore, Of Helena, member of the
State Capitol Commission, the for.
mcr president Of the Senate, for
another term in the Senate, was one
triumph Of the Donaghcy policies
u T. Hampton, of lIordyce, a mem
Der Of the State Tax and the Rail.
road Commissions in recent years,
was defeated Tor the state Senate,
It is generally agreed that the
defeat Of Cow Donaghcy by such a
decisive majority was a public cNs
prcsson Of disapproyul Of the TJ,
bill although it's supporters refuse
to make such u concession They
contend thut there are thousands
who voted against Donaghey be-
cause Of a third term or for other
reason, who will support the rev.
enue measure, The governor him.
self still advocates it is the only way
to meet the financial needs of the
state, and predicts that thus or some
similar measure must be adopted