Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-06-02

thoughtful approval of my fellow men and the unmistakable voice of con- science that tells of things we'll done. Efficiency and honesty shall be the sole criteria in the selection of public officials and in the administration of public affairs, and as God gives me power, l shall bear my conscience as my kind and endeavor to wear the white flower of blameless private and public life.
 The State Debt.
 "Weighty problems are pressing upon US today for our solution; our revenue system is in sad need of re- vision, for our rate of taxation IS ex- horbitantlv high and our basis of as- sessment is grotesquely low. Official reports show that our estimated ln- debtedness July |, 1917, will be ap- proximately $8O0,000. In harmony with our platform declaration on this subject, l shall gather around me a | body of experts, who shall serve as a patriotic duty to consider wise plans l for lowering our rate of taxation mak- | ing uniform our assessments and re- l lieving the burden of public debt
 For Pure Elections.
 "We should congratulate ourselves | that there is being initiated at the present time measure providing for pure and proper primary elections: lie who steals my purse steals that which may afterward be restored, but he who steals my vote steals that which can never be restored, and our present system of election is unworthy the 1 honest expression of vital Democracy. Untrammelled suffrage has always been the bulwark of American instl- tutions, and honesy elections consti- ute the palladium of patriotic peo- pie.
 To Extend l. and K.
 q believe that our Democracy should be so farreaching and flexible through the further extension of the system, Initiative and Referendum. The present limitation of the number of amendments that can be submitted at any one election to three, is an un- wise limitation on the powers of the people, and believe that these powers should be safeguarded by the right of the people to express themselves fully at any time upon any subject. If the extensiosS of Amendment No. 10 by tn pending Amendment No. 13 proves unsuccessful and inadequate, then T shall favor the convening of constl.. tutional convention for the purpose of clothing the people of Arkansas with governmental garments that will fit their expanding needs.
 The Penal System.
 "In the light of unsatisfactory re- turns from our present penitentlary systemI believe that very careful study Should be made of our entire penal system; that at least quota of our4stato convicts should be placed on the county highways; that hu manitarianism should characterize the administration of our penal affairs, and that as soon as our finances per init the state should establish re- formatory school for girls.
 For Pardon Board.
 "While justice should always be tempered with mercy, which thrice blesses him who gives, and is as the gentle dew that falls from heaven, yet, in sovereign commonwealth the majesty of the law should always be paramount.
 "'For sovereign law, our states col
 lected will,
 "'Sits empress, crowning good, re-
 pressing ill.,
 "In order that each application for a pardon may receive proper con- sideration and that the governor may have more time for the consideration of constructive legislation, I heartily approve of the policy adopted by twenty five other states of the Ameri- can union, of creating an advisory pardon board, composed of three members, who shall meet at least once a month for the purpose of consider ing pardons, receiving only per diem and actual travelling expenses for thelr services. Every application for a par don should be published in the papers of the county where the crime was committed twenty days before it is finally acted upon by the governor, and should the board be created, shall never grant pardon unless 1t IS recommended by this board. Such a measure would remove the suspicion of politics. from the pardon and would limit pardon attorney to simple, legit- innate professional activities in the premises.
 Mere and Better Schools, "Nothing is more vital in the de velopment of our state than vouch- safing to our boys and girls-the ris- ing hopes of the present generation adequate and proper educational ia cilities. In spite of the heroic sacri- fices by heroic teachers and able management by great superintendents of public instruction, our states edu- cational system is in deplorable con dition, Over 2,000 of our school dis tricts are overwhelmingly in debt anc 90 per cent. of the 273 high schools o1 or state have a bonded indebtedness; of S23,000 each. Our school terms particularly in the country districts where S7 per cent. of our people live are ridiculously short and because o1 inadequate salaries, over 1000 white teachers are leaving the teaching pro. fession each year. I believe construc' tive statesmanship to be higher thar mere political popularity and because l believe with all the sincerity of my heart that an investment i'll our boys and girls is the greatest measure o1 constructive statesmanship, 1 favor = A 4 4 4 4 4 A A 4 4 A