The log cabin Democrat., 1912-12-02
JANUARY LINK"
 NEXT LEGISLATURE MANY ASPIRE TO CHAIR
SENATOR MARTIN OF CONWAY AMONG SENATE PRESIDEN-
 TIAL CANDIDATES.

Little Rock, Dec. 2.-The next ses- sion of the Arkansas general assem- ply will convene January 13, and it will be an unlucky day for about dozen aspirants for the speakership and the presidency. With other polit lcal contests out of the way, with the exception of municipal primary which Little Rock Democrats will hold December F, are turning their attention to legislative politics. The election of a United States senator. which used to be a big factor in the legislature, has been eliminated by the preferential primary, and this time all that the lawmakers will do will be to ratify the action of the peo- pie in the selection of Jeff Davis to succeed himself for a second term.
 But the contests for speaker of the house and president of the senate are beginning to attract attention, and frequent conferences are being held by the supporters of the various aspi- rants in the Hobbies of the Marion and Capital. One of the most pertinent questions in connection with these races is: What will Joe Robinson Joe is the -elect-what will Joe Robinson do about it? The indi- cations are that the new governor will have things pretty much his own way Tn the two houses, but whether he will take any prominent part in the or ganlzation is matter of conjecture. The fact that he has his eve on the United States senate for the seat that will be vacated by Senator Jeff Davis six years hence unless unforeseen conditions may force him into a race in 1914, will doubtless influence the governor in securing as favorable an organization as possible for the new administration. So far as known. however, none of the candidates has assumed an attitude antagonistic to- ward MT. Robinson.
 There are three prominent candi- dates for the presidency of the sen- ate. It is not denied that Governor elect Robinson favors Senator w. K. Oldham, who halls from his own coun- ty of Lonoke and this is considered a strong factor in his favor. On the other hand, Senator T. J. Raney of Independence, who was one of the leaders of the reform element in the last senate, claims a strong support. It is generally predicted that the fight will be between these two and Senator A. c. Martin of Faulkner, who claims that he must be reckoned with when it comes to casting up the ballots of the 35 members. Phillips of Carroll and Rodgers of Benton were talked of for awhile, but are not now expected to figure in the contest very exten- sively.
 More complex and spirited is the contest for presiding officer over the 100 members constituting the lower house. While 10 or 12 members have been mentioned from time to time, the indications are that the contest will narrow down to a five-cornered affair among O. c. Ludwig of Pulaski, S. A. Miller of Jefferson, Jo Hardage of Clark, T. c. lobe of Hampstead and Carroll Armstrong of Conway. All of these are avowed candidates, the latest definite entry being MT. Arm- strong of Morrilton, one of the old school politicians of the state who was in the legislature years ago, and for many years was chairman of the state central committee. He is a close personal and political friend of Governor-elect Robinson, and this fact probably influenced him to some extent in entering the race for speak ership.
 Among others who have been men, tioned in connection with the place are c. B. Thweatt of Prairie, Hartsil Ragon of Johnson, Bonnie Davis of Columbia and A. c. Gray of Inde- pendence.
 The most active in organization are Ludwig, Hardage and Miller. Repre- sentative Miller, a native of Tennes- see, is 4S years old, and this will be the third term he has served in the legislature from Jefferson county. He declares, that, if elected, he will use his best endeavors to carry out the pledges of the Democratic party force a business administration anc