The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-29
FUTRELL IS Hello
LEGAL GOVERNOR
ASSUMES OFFICE WHEN SUPREME
COURT DECIDES CASE IN
HIS FAVOR.
JUDGES UNANIMOUS
Oldham Turns Over Cffice-New Ex.
ecutive Proceeds to Call Election
for July %.


Little Rock.-Senator James NJ. Fu-
trell of Paragould, president pro TEN.
of the state senate, was declared by
| the supreme court to be the legal act
preme court was unanimous in its
opinion. Immediately after the decis.
ion had ben rendered. Senator Futrell,
armed with the mandate of the court,
appeared at the governors office,
which Senator w. X. Oldham has been
holding since the resignation of Gov.
Joe T. Robinson.
Senator Oldham turned over the
office TO Senator Futrell, as he had
agreed that he would do If the su-
preme court decided the controversy
in favor of Senator Futrell. 1t was un-
necessary for Senator Futrell to take
the oath of office as governor for he
had already qualified as acting govern
or when he was sworn in as president
pro TEN of the senate.
The decision of the supreme court
brought to an end an unsual condition
of affairs which has existed since the
adjournment of the legislature. Sen
ator Oldham who became acting gov
ernor upon the resignation Of Govern
or Robinson, claimed that under the
constitution he should continue to hold
the office during the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Gov. Robinson.
Senator Futreil claimed the office by
reason of his election as president
pro tenn of the senate. Each has
maintained an office in the state CAPT.
tol but by agreement neither has per
formed any official act of importance
pending the settlement Of the contro.
versy.
Almost as soon as the Arkansas Su-
preme Court had declared him acting
governor OF Arka nsas, Senator j.. NJ.
FGtrell announced that he will call a
special election 10 select a successor
20 Joe T. Robinson on July %. Gov.
Futrell will issue his official procla-
nation Immediately.
Il is expected that Judge A ].
Walls of Lonoke, chairman Of the
Democratic State Central Committee,
will at once call a meeting Of that
committee to decide upon the date Of
the Democratic state primary which
must precede the state election and
which will decide the governorship.
In announcing that he had decided
upon July % as the date of the state
election. Governor Futrell said:
This gives 80 days for holding a
primary election. This much time is
certainly required. 1t is not within
the province of the acting governor to
determine that ~ primary shall be
held, which would be the effect if suf-
ficient time is not given to hold one.
The farmers will be very busy until
their crops are partially finished and
they probably will have as much spare
time in the latter part of July as at
any other season OF the year.
Governor FutrelI performed a grace
ful act when he signed Senate Bill
No. 1S9, the Lonoke county road bill,
Immediately after assuming the offiee
of governor. This was a measure in
which Governor Futrell's late oppon-
ent, Senator Oldham, was interested.
and Governor Futrell made it a point
to sign it first as an expression OF
good will toward his recent opponent
for the governorship. Those familiar
with Arkansas politics declare that
never in the history of the state has
a political controversy been carried on
is as dignified a manner as the gu
bernatorial contest which ended here.