The Forrest City times., 1913-03-28
FO1RELL |S HELD LEGAL GOVERNOR HooOMES OFFICE WHEN SUPREME COURT DECIDES CASE IN
 HIS FAVOR.
JUDGES DECISION UNANIMOUS
oidham Turns Over Office-New Es. ecuttve Proceeds to Call Election
 for July 23.

western Newspaper Union News servfcA
 hltele Rock.-Senator James NJ. Flu 'rell or Paragould. president pro tenn. ol the state senate, was declared by the supreme court to be the legal ac;- Ing governor of Arkansas The su- pfeme court was unanimous in it's ctinlon. Immediately after the decis- lon had ben rendered. Senator Futrell. armed with the mandate Of the court, appeared at the governors office. which Senator W. K. Oldham has been holding since the resignation of Gov. Joe I. Robinson.
 Senator Oldham turned over the oiiice to Senator Futrell as he had agreed that he would do if the su- preme court decided the controversy in favor of Senator Fu:rell It was un- necessary fer Senator Futrell to take the oath of office as governor for ha had already qualified as acting govern or when he was sworn in as president plO tCid OI tue senate.
 The decision of the supreme court brought to an end an unsual condition of affairs WI ich has existed since the 2d5Ournment of the legislature. Sen ator Oldham who became acting gov, ernor upon the resignation of Govern CT Robinson, claimed that under the constitution he should continue to hold the office during the vacancy caused by the resignation of Gov. Robinson Senator Futrel claimed the office by reason of his election as president pro tenn of the senate. Each has maintained an office in the state cap. tel but by agreement neither has per fcrmsd any official act of importance pending the settlement of the ccntro. versy.
 Almost as soan as the Arkansas Su- prene Court had declared him acting governor of Arkansas, Senator J. Nj. Futrell announced that he will call a special election o select a successor to Joe T. Robinson on July 23. Gov. Futrell will issue his official procla- nation immediately.
 It is expected that Judge A. | Walls of Lonoke, chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, will al once call 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 23 as the date of the state election, Governor Futrell said:
 This gives 90 days fer holding a primary election. This much time is certainly required. IL is not within the province Of the acting governor to determine that no primary shall be held. which would be the effect if sui ficiont time is not given to hold one. The farmers will be very busy until their crops are partially finished and they probably ~ill have as much spare time in the latter part of July as at any,other season of the year.
 Governor Futrell performed grace ful act when he signed Senate Bill No. lS9, the Lonoke county road bill, immediately after assuming the office Of governor. This was a measure ta which Governor Futrells late oppon- ert. 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 manner as the gu heY2a. orial contest which ended here.