The Sentinel=record., 1913-03-14
ACTING GOV. OLDHAM MAKES ADDRESS TO SENATE TO AP-
 PEAsE PUBLIC WRATH.
SENATOR wASSON RETURNS
President FutreIl of the Senate An nounces That He Will Make Determined Fight to Take
 Governors Office.

Making feeble promise that when things settled down he would issue a caiI for special election, Acting zzioYefnor Oldham. brethersin-law of Governor Robinson, made an address to the state senate yesterday in which he in measure seemed to try to ap- pease the public indignation over the arbitrary measure in which he is hold ing the office of chief executive of the state.
 President Futrell of the state sen ate, who by virtue of the constitution is entitled to hold the office of gov ernor until special election is called and the people have the right to nominated and elect. a governor, also made a statement in which he declar- ed that he would fight in the courts for the office.
 State Senator Wasson returned yes terday afternoon from Little Rock and stated that there was much ex- citement attendant upon the closing hours of the legislative session in both the senate and the house.
 From the sentiment expressed about the state capital the promise made by Acting Governor oldham to call a special election wIien the con. ditions had settled, was not taken with good grace. There were open expressions that this was merely a bold movement to hold the office in the hope that there would not have been any question but that the presi- dent of the senate elected in it's clos. ing hours could serve as governor, pending such time as a special cleo ton might give the people the right to name a governor of their own choosing.
 The big surprise to the public Of the situation is that Attorney Gen. eral Moose has rendered an opinion that Oldham may hold the office in stead of Futrell, and this carries with it the imputation that it is not man datory on Oldham to call a special election, for there is no process of law by which Oldham can be forced ito perform an act even though the statute plainly provides that he |"shall' perform 1t.
 By the Associated Press.
 Little Rock, Ark. March 1S.- State Senator Wm. K. Oldham and Sena- tor John NJ Futrell. each claiming to he governor of Arkansas and with each maintaining an office in the state capital. the affairs of the state are in tangle which apparently only the courts can unrayei.
 | Senator oldham has an apparent advantage in that he is in possession of the governors office and is back ed by an opinion by Attorney General Moose that he is the legal governor. As soon as the legislature adjourn ed at noon, Senator Futrell appeared Fin the governors office and demand ed possession This was refused by Senator Oldham and Senator Futrell then established his office as gover- for. in the office of the president of the senate. He announced that he would at once institute legal proceed ings to oust Senator oldham. Senator Futrell said he would at once call a special election to select his successor. Senator oldham said he would call special election "as soon as things get quieted down a | little.
 The situation is caused by the ac' tion of Gov Joe T. Robson in hastily resigning Saturday. after which he hastened to Washington aud was