The Harrison times., 1916-09-09
ARKANSAS POLITICS.
State Chairman Predicts Democratic
Victory In Every County In
the State.

A state and national optimism per-
vades the ranks OF the Democratic
party in Arkansas as we approach the
biennial campaign. The situation is
we'll epitomized in the following ex-
preston from J. w. House, Jr., chair
man of the State Central Committee:
Il have never witnessed a more
united Democracy in my life than
there exists today in old Arkansas. We
are receiving hundreds OF letters tell.
ing how fine everything is in the
various counties, and we predict that
the Democrats will carry every county
in the state by overwhelming majori.
tiles"
1t will be observed that in this
sweeping prophecy he includes even
the rock-ribbed Republican county of
Newton, which has never been known
to go Democratic. But who knows?
There are seventy-four that are sure
anyway.
The campaign committee urges all
Democrats to assist in every way pos
sible IN the state campaign that is
now beginning. 1t is especially de-
sired that big majority be rolled up
this year, as president is to be elect
ed, and this is the first time the state
and federal elections have been held
together. The committee will send
speakers into every part of the state
and especially into the northern
counties.
1--WE have the opportunity before
u.s. said Chairman House, "and we
must have continued cooperation by
all Democrats to make the victory
this year recOrd-breaker. We want
the Democrats of Arkansas to remem.
Der one thing, and that is that the
committee is only your servant, and
that we are working with you to carry
every county in the state, and you
must get out and do your part. We
hope soon to have all arrangements
made to send out the speakers but we
must have assistance. 1t is as much
soul into this campaign as it ours, and
soul into this business as it ours, and
we hope before long to have even
more cooperation from you"
The campaign will open in the
northern part of the state at the same
time, perhaps in the counties of Madi-
son, Boone, Searcy, Van Buren,, New
ton Cleburne and Carroll. Among the
speakers who have volunteered are
such men as DR.. C. H. Brough, Smeade
Powell, Judge w. F. Kirby, ]. H. Ev-
ans, Thomas McRae, s. Brundidge,
Congressman w. A. Oldfield, Con-
gresham T. H, Caraway, c. C. Reid,
Harry L. Ponder, }. S. Utley, Hugh d.
Hart, and many others.
Invitations have been extended to
Senators Robinson and Clarke and the
seven representatives in congress, but
thus far only Congressman Tillman,
Caraway and Oldfield have responded.
So far as known, no out-of.state
speakers will come into Arkansas for
the campaign as they are needed in
the north and east, and in Arkansas
it Is only question of the size of the
Democratic majority. DR.. Brough and
members Of our congressional delega-
ton will do their part in convincing
northern Republicans of the error Of
their ways.
1t is probable that there will be
several joint debates by Prof. Brough
and Prof, Townsend the Democratic
and Republican nominees for govern
or. Great interest is shown in these
debates, because they are expected to
be different. Both are OF the high.
toned character which will lift them
above the mud,ling tactics so ofen
considered the indispensable element
of political campaign. They are ex.
pected to discuss issues and not men.
Much interest is also felt in the out.
come of the first election under the
new consolidation bill It Is not likely
to be party issue, since the Repub
licans are in favor Of it, but there are
Democrats who question the wisdom
OF the law. Some prominent Demo.
Gratis have gone so far as to announce
that they will favor the repeal of the
act, and the return to the old system
OF holding the state election in Sep.
tember, The success Of the first elec.
ton, and the absence OF trouble OF
any kind will 30 far in populari2ing
the new order Of things The senti-
ment for consolidation of elections
had been growing In the state for
some years, and the principal opposi.
tlon came from those who considered
II unwise to bring federal control in.
to charge OF state elections.