The Harrison times., 1912-09-07
JOE I. ROBINSON DEFINES POSITION
ON PROHIBITION AND OTHER ISSUES
IN SPEECH BEFORE MONSTER CROWD BARBECUE HE
DECLARES LOCAL AGAINST TT BILL AND ACT
NO. s-sEVEN THOUSAND HEARD VARIOUS SPEAKERS.

one has emphatic convictions regard
ing 1t. II majority of the voters in
the September election think that the
time has come for the passage OF a
statewide prohibition law in Arkansas
and 30 express themselves, will ex'
haust all the authority of the gov
ernors office In an effort to enforce
the law, and If additional authority
be necessary will ask the legislature
to confer II on the executive. do
not want to be governor of state
where the laws are openly held in con-
tempt. Many believe that 1t is better
to recognize local conditions and local
sentiment than to force upon com
munities laws which are Objectionable
to them. II were governor Of a state
which had enacted statewide prohi'
bition, and open saloons were run In
contemptuous disregard Of the law, |
would either reslgn or find the means
OF enforcing II, Vote your conscience
and your judgment on this question,
and | will do my best TO see that your
will be executed"
Mr.. 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-
litcal 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 Its concession
by those who assume to bo their rep
resentatiyes. This, to me, 10 a hope
ful indication. II points 70 the eI'
pansion OF popular liberty and the
consequent happiness and prosperity
OF the general public, II will destroy
those selfish influences which are at
once 80 powerful and unconscionabie
AZ TO disregard the sufferiHgs OF hu'
manity and to scott at all efforts In
behalf OF political reforms. Many
frankly contradict, others secretly
mistrust, the capacity 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-
lievo this principle and teach II, TO re-
futc the political hsrcsy that govern.
mont IL the province Of \ superior
class"
II was great day for Lonoke
Everybody In Jonoke county seems
proud OF "our joe" and the way In
which his speech was received by
thousands OF home nelghbora and
friends attosted the very high esteom
IN which he 10 held
Other speeches were made by Sec
rotary Of state Earle W. Hodges, Col
sam Taylor, candidate for congresS,
Ben l., Griffin, and Dr. Chas, Hillman
Brough, and all speeches were we'll
received,
There was plenty OF gaity plenty
of music by the First Regiment band,
ball games and other amusoments to
please the immense throng that gath.
cred In lonohe on this gala day, The
little city did herself proud In caring
for the crowd which exceeded all OK
pectntlons, 70 give some idea OF the
vast feast which was served, II was
reported by the committee that the
following purchaser had been made
$500 pounds Of meat 5000 lonyes OF
bread, 500 pounds Of cake, 20 gallons
OF pickles, The tables we're cleaned
up m completely AZ II they had been
swept by cyclone, although there
toemed TO be sufficient for the crowd
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