The Mena weekly star., 1916-05-18
CONTRASTS.

bfuAE1tt tNEftttti tAts'& 2 AA1AH aat over Arkansas. the largest papers of the state and some among the small- est being represented, It also att tractea men from Illinois. Missouri, Oklahoma. Louisiana, Texas and perhaps other states.
 Probably the greatest contrast, however. was the use of a Twentieth century invention to transmit Stone Age ideas from the brain of the Governor Of Arkansas.
 Two hundred American citizens. mostly editors. and all representing a force that always is for progress, were gathered around the banquet board so splendidly provided by the hospitabIe citizens of Texarkana. The Southwestern Telegraph ond Telephone Company, hoping to fur nish treat to the assembly. had in- stalled a marvellous equipment for the carrying of the human voice for long distances and to many ears. When the moment arrived for an address by our Governor, connection was made with Little Rock, and in clear tones the voice of Governor Hays greeted the banqueters.
 The Governor, after usual greet ings, urged upon his hearers that they should in all things stand and work only for the credit of their state to send abroad upon the world no thing that would discredit Arkan- sas.
 And then, quickly losing sight of his own good advice, he launched into tirade against Amendment No. ! F, which gives permission to the people of school district who see the need and so desire to vote an increased tax for school purposes. He, our Governor. went on to say that should increase would benefit chiefly the American Book Company Ef would. he continued, mean a few more books 10 buy, a few more blackboards to provide, a few more boxes of crayons to purchase for the schools, etc He was pleading for economy, he indicated. and in an other moment was urging upon the editors to lend their aid 10 cause the University of Arkansas to be moved from Fayetteville the cost of such has been estimated at about 1 mill lion dollars to some more central location"
 The editors. for the most part, felt that Governor Hays was saying about all that chief executive could say to harm his state, felt that he was playing politics and loosening political grouch al about the same time and even his parting promise to quickly pardon any editor who might get into trouble did not re- move the bad taste of the other re- marks.
 The next man to speak chanced to he Win H. Mayes thrice lieutenant governor of Texas. Coming from a state that in educational standing is very near the ton among the com monwealths of the nation. 1t was a shock to him to hear the governor of | state that is near the bottom voice a protest against a measure that tends to remove the shackles from the people who would place Arkansas where she belongs, would remedy a condition that brings the blush Of shame to many of Arkansas most ardent advocates. And here js the way he voiced his protest:
 ' may be treading on dangerous ground, and suspect that am. but l don't care. want to voice the opinion that the reference the gov- efnor of Arkansas h s isut made rel atipe to a i2-mill tax for educa- tional purposes is all insult to the press and e the people of Arkan- sas"
 And again:
 T was astounded when Governor Hays urged this great body of men and women of the Arkansas press to so on record as disfavoring an in- crease in the taxation for the pur- pose of bettering the educational fa- ellities. I took his remarks about the removal of the State University from Fayetteville to some more cen tral point in the state as a joke. but his other remarks about the f2-mill school tax struck me as being poii- ties rather than good sense"
 Perhaps if Governor Hays would inquire about bit he would ascer- tain that he. more than the editors of Arkansas, would do well to con- slider the effect that his acts and words have on his state-what the world outside thinks of them.
 
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