The Harrison times., 1916-04-15
STATE CAPITOL LETTER

most effective manner by speakers
and field workers best equipped fol
the task.
1t will be one of theimportant queS,
tons to be presented at the approach,
ing session of the Legislature. 1t viii
be remembered that the suffragist,
achieved a great victory in the 1915
session, securing the adoption of theiI
resolution submitting a constitutional
amendment, and only the fact that
there were already three ahead of il
prevented a vote being taken on the
subject.
This was encouraging to the women
who had been working against the
most effective opposition to that time.
Now they are going to make a more
strenuous effort than ever, and will
conduct an educational campaign
that will be sure to attract attention.
Miss Gertrude Watkins and Miss
Josephine Miller left Little Rock this
week for an organization tour of the
state, to last for a month or more,
and this will be followed by other
campaigns, until the whole state is
covered. They will organize suffrage
leagues, and make arrangements for
Mrs. T. 7. Gotham, of Little Rock,
to follow about a week later, accom-
panied by Mrs. O. F. Ellington, the
state President. Mrs. Gotham is ac-
knowledged one of the most eloquent
of the suffrage advocates of the
country, and took an active part for
several months in the New York and
New Jersey campaigns last year.
Former Congressman S. Brundidge
of Searcy will at once place in circula-
ton petitions to initiate new
primary election law, designed to in
sure honestelections, The proposed
bill is essentially the same as that
which was defeated by the last Legis-
lature, after it had been endorsed, in
principle, by the preceedingState con-
vention of the Democratic party, and
drafted by a committee of representa-
tive men appointed by that conven-
ton.
The educational interests of the
state will at once enter upon a cam
paign in favor of the eproposed amend
ment increasing the maximum of the
school tax that may be voted by any
district from I to y mills. This was
enthusiastically endorsed by the State
Teachers Association last week. 1t is
pointed out that the adoption of this
amendment would not in its self in
crease the taxes of the people, since
the amount to be. voted is optional
with each district. 1t would only
enable those districts which desire to
do so to vote any amount up to
twelve mills for school purpose,
There are rumors that an effort
will soon be made to initiate the
repeal of the state wide prohibition
law, the saloon advocates being en-
couraged in their stand by the large
vote cast for Judge L. G. Smith,
whose platform was frankly an en-
dorSement Of local option.
Several other measures are probable
through the |. & R. route, and it is eX-
pected that in short time the state
will be covered with initiative
petitions.
There are already two nominees for
governor in the state. They are DR..
C. H. Brough, of Fayetteville, the
Democraticnominee, and Sam Buseler
of Springdale, the Socialist nominee.
Both come from the same county Of
Washington. The Republicans will
meet in convention, in Little Rock,
April 26, for the purpose of nomina-
ting candidate, and the prospects
are that there will be quite a lively
contest for the empty honor. Wallace
Townsend, a young lawyer Of Little
Rock, most popular young fellow,
seems to be the favorite, although
there are Others who will insist upon
the nomination. He is the chairman
of the Pulaski county delegation to
the convention. The old race differ
ences, which have caused so much
trouble in the PARTISAN ranks of the
Republican party in Arkansas, will
come up this time in more virulent
form than ever before. The pro-
gressives will also hold a state conven-
ton, but it is unlikely they will nomi-
nate a candidate for governor They
will probably content themselves with
electing delegates to the National
Progressive Convention in Chicago,
The Progressives are optimistic,
nationally speaking.
Eve shall probably nominate
Roosevelt for President said one Of
the Arkansas leaders, eve expect the
panukl oooc tn nominate him olun