Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1913-11-06
BRIDGE ISSUE
ON THE TICKET
Republicans and Negroes
not Allowed to Express
Their Sentiment
THE VOTE WAS ID TO Z
President Collier of Taxpayers Had
Six PrOxies-WOuld Cut off
Free Speech.
THE VOTE WAS ID TO 7

With T. j. Collier, president Of
the Taxpayers Protective Association
holding six proxies and with many
Of the members absent and not vot-
ing at all, the jefferson county Dem
ocratic central committee yesterday
voted to insert the Free Bridge ques-
ton in the primary election ticket
to be voted on December 2. The
vote was IA to z. Only Democrats
can vote on the question and they
can express themselves whether they
are taxpayers or not. Republicans
and negroes, many of whom own
property in this county and many
of whom signed for the Free Bridge;
are deprived of their right to ex-
press themselves on the issue. 1t
matters not whether the majority
will be for or against the Free Bridge
the result will not affect the present
Free Bridge situation, the highest
court in the state having already
settled the issue for all times by sus-
tanning the ruling of the Bridge Com
mission AID by unfolding the special
act authorizing it's construction.
The special meeting of the county
central committee was called by
Chairman Brewster at the request of
T. j. Collier, who presented a petit
ton from five members asking for
it, and who are entitled to a special
meeting. under q ruling of the
Democratic state convention. Chair
man Brewster presided and secre-
tary 10 Nichol was at his desk.
Following arguments against the
motion of T. Havis Nixon who held
the proxy of j. s.. Baraque, to place
the question on the ticket, and q
substitute motion by Committeeman
w. T. Woodbridge. who moved that
the committee take no action in the
matter and put neither for" or
against" the Free Bridge on the
ticket, Mr.. Nixon attempted to pre-
vent Judge Woodbridge from having a
rejoinder after he, Nixon, had con-
cluded his argument. He declared
that Judge Wooldridge's substitute
motion was a subterfuge to enable
Mr.. Woodbridge to have the last
speech. Chairman Brewster ruled
that the substitute Of Judge Woold-
ridge was in order, despite the con-
tention Of Mr.. Nixon that it was not,
and he ruled that Judge Woodbridge
should be heard. Mr.. Nixon appeal
ed from the decision Of the chair
and Mr.. Brewster was about to sub
NIT the question when Judge Woold-
ridge began speaking and continued
despite several Interruptions.
The Resolution.
When the committee was called to
order Mr.. Nixon offered the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas, the Free Bridge question
has been one which has caused more
dissentions and descriptions among
the people Of jefferson county than
any question which has arisen in
many years, and.
Whereas, no one can fail to take
notice Of the harmful effects that
are bound to follow any further
agitation of this matter. and.
Whereas. both sides publicly pro-
claim their willingness to be govern
ed by the people on this matter.
Therefore. be it resolved that in
order to ascertain just how the
Democratic voters of this county
stand upon this question. that there
be printed upon the ballots to be
used at the Primary election on
December 2, the question Of for and
against the Free Bridge. That all
persons voting at said election vote
their sentiments with reference to
said question, and the judges and
clerks certify the results Of this bal
lot the same as other issues submit
ted.
Judge Woodbridge then offered his
substitute. asking the committee to
take NO action whatever. G. NJ.
IAcklin seconded the motion for the
adoption Of the Nixon resolution and
Marel Franklin supported the substi.
ltute Of Judge Woodbridge.