The Huttig news., 1916-02-19
HODGES SCORES
 UNFAIR TA.|c:T|CS TA.|:
sROUGH's METHODS EXPOSED ISSUES sQUARELY UP TO
 THE PEOPLE.
Abuse of the Country Press.

Abuse of the Country Press.
 Dr. Trough has not only tried to cast reflection upon my good name. but he has thrown aspersions at such men as Col George Thornburgh and at Col. w. w Folsom of Hope. L. D. Freeman of the Pine Bluff Commercial, Col. w E. Decker of Fort Smith, Wm. Greenwood of Paris. Capt. c. c. Golburn of Ozark W. A Moffatt of Monticello, F. C. Funk of Rogers, EOvick Pound of DanYille. Geo. W. Mason of El Dorado and many others engaged in the newspa- per business in Arkansas by stating for a pittance tine entire country press of Arkansas has sold out to me These men have lived their lives in Arkansas and have done much to- ward the upbuilding of the state men who have raised their childr n here and who will die and be buried beneath the soil of Arkansas The Fl Dorado Times said: We deny tne charge and resent such insinuation against the country press as rot only unjust, but an insult and travesty against their honor"
 Books Taken From Old State House
 He insinuated that was in some way connected with the theft of some books from the state library, in the old State House, although he makes no direct charge He knew full we'll that I went before the Pulaski Coun- ty Grand Jury, and that it was upon my testimony an indictment was re- turned. I have always been willing to give my testimony at a trial of tie case, but il the young man has nol been further prosecuted, the fault E not mine, as the prosecution is in ths hands Of the court officers.
 Same Auditors in My Office as i,
 Other State Offices.
 When the Legislature of 1915 con. yened, 1t appointed Senator George 1 w Garrett, Representative Monroe l Smith. IT. A. Gentry and others, a committee to audit the books of the state officials. This committee, or any member thereof. did not do any per sonal work in any of the state depart ments. They made a contract with Messrs Pike, Crofton & Co. of Mem. phis to do the expert work in gong over the books of the various state officials.
 Had this committee wanted to do the right thing, they could have em- ployed sufficient accountants to do all the work when the Legislature was Tn session and it would have been much less expense for the taxpayers of the state; but forty days after the Legis- lature had adjourned, the three mem bers of the committee were hanging around ,he state house, receiving data from the two accountants and giving out exciting reports and confidential information about the various state or fieers, in an effort to kick up enough dust to justify them remaining on the job at $500 per day until Christmas or possibly until after the next Leg. islCture convened.
 At the end of the forty days, the Supreme Court decided that this com mittee had no further authority to con t.lue their work. as they had stayed the time provided by the constita- tion. After this Supreme Court decl- sion. they did not have any more aa- thority to audit anyones books.
 Senator Garrett's Prophecies.
 All the time while Senator Garrett was endeavoring to stay on the ray roll at $500 per day. he was using all the efforts In his power to assist in the sale of a certain convict farm fn South Arkansas. If he wants his va rious offers to secure assistance made public, will gladly glve the informa- tien. did not object to anyone audi, ing my books; nor would I have O. jected to this committee auditing nsy ! books had they not stated publicly several times, that they would put ms out of the governors race. I there fore refused to permit them to con unue their work in my office
 My Books Opened and Audited.
 al once offered to rlrn my hooks over to the ArlS1nsas Bankers Asso- ciation to apdit and had had any. thing in my office to cover up. I cer. tainly would not have proposed that the Bankers Association make tho audit The Bankers Association re- fused to do the work. and Isasked the Hon. George W. Thornburgh to audit my office whose integrity no man will question. as he is very promi- nent member of the church. promi- nent member of the Masonic frate-- nity, a prominent member of tue An ti-Saloon League. and man whose honesty and integrity is as good or Continued on Page 4. 5rd Column