The weekly soliphone. (Paragould, Greene County, Ark.) 1907-1918, 1915-06-04
DISTRICT POLITICS
IS BEING DISCUSSED
Jason L. Light and R. H. Dudley
for Circuit Judge-Gautney Seeks
Prosecuting Attorneyship.

this county, has positively made
up his mind to seek the circuit
judgship and has authorized The
Daily Press to make this state
ment. Judge Light says it. has
long been his ambition to serve
upon the bench and thai during
the past year he has been making
special preparation to qualify him.
self for such service. AS Judge
of the court of common pleas in
this county he is getting much ac-
tual experience in handling cases
similar to those that come under
the jurisdiction of the circuit
Judge Judge Light states he will
not be a candidate for reelection
to the county judgship. He is
bending every energy to the task
of putting the county on a firm
financial basis and hopes by the
time his term of office expires to
have scrip worth at least seventy
five cents on the dollar. He is en-
deavoring to establish a fixed fl
nancial policy for the county so
his successor will have no trouble
! in keeping scrip at fair price.
While the democratic primaries
for the selection of nominees for
all the offices in Arkansas will not
be held until next March, nearly
a year hence, more than ordinary
interest is already being manifest
ed in the probable lineup of can
didates, especially in the contests
for circuit judge and prosecuting
attorney of this judicial district,
and for senator in the senatorial
district
IL has been known for some
time that Judge J. F. Gautney is
an avowed candidate for prosecut-
ing attorney to succeed M. P. Hud-
dleston who will be in the race for
attorney general of the state. The
decision of Judge Gautney not to
seek another term on the bench
leaves this important position open
to some worthy lawyer in the dis
trict
r. H. Dudley of Piggott, one of
the best known attorneys in North
east Arkansas, was approached by a
representative of The Press and
asked the direct question whether
or not he would be a candidate for
circuit judge. "You may state -
replied Mr.. Dudley, 81 will not be
candidate if by that you mean
to ask if I will enter a contest for
the office. 1 have very high re-
gard for any judicial position and
do not believe a scramble should
be engaged in to secure a place on
the bench. The judicial ermine
should never be trailed through po-
litical mire and no man should sit
upon the bench who secured his po-
sition by heated campaign. No
matter how pure he may be he
cannot escape we'll directed criti-
cisms and suspicious from those
who opposed him in the campaign.
"The bench in this district has
been graced with able and honora-
BILE members of the legal fraterni-
ty. The position has been kept
singularly free from political en-
tanglements and certainly I am
not going to be the first to make
political football out of a func-
ton of our government so closely
in touch with the inherent rights
of the people.
IF the honor comes to me with
out a contest l confess l would
gladly accept it. Otherwise l would
give the matter no consideration. I"
For prosecuting attorney there
are three avowed candidates so far
Judge Gautney, S. R. Simpson of
Paragould, and Wilks Davis of
\ OAS ~AAS'AAAO' JOAA I'D W luOTuc Oh
Jonesboro, has been frequently
mentioned as a probable candidate,
but it is understood he has decided
not to make the race. John Braw-
ner of Piggott, representative from
Clay county in the house, is seri-
ously considering entering the con-
test. He stated Monday he had not
fully made up his mind but would
probably know within ten days or
two weeks. Many of his friends
and supporters in Clay county are
urging him to get in the running.
Others regard him as good senator
lal timber and have suggested HIM
for this place. 1t is believed Mr.,
Brawner will either run for pros
ecuting attorney or the state SEN
ate.
There is much speculation in
Piggott on the probable senatorial