The Green Forest tribune., 1917-04-06
Announcement of Position

To the voters and people of Carroll county, Arkansas:
 Under the law passed by the legisla- ture calling a constitutional convention of delegates, one from each county and two from each congressional district in the state to meet in Little Rock in November next. to prepare, draft, frame and submit new constitution to the people for their ratification or rejection and fixed the 18th day of June, 1917, the day and time to hold special election in each county to elect such delegates and prescribe in the eligibility of candidates and the rules of holding and governing said elections, etc
 1 am candidate for delegate from this, Carroll county, Arkansas, at said election, subject to the Democratic primary election on the 14th day of April. 1917, if the same can be and is held fairly under the law.
 realize the magnitude. importance and great responsibility that will rest upon delegate Tn that great conven- ton. Good men and profound, learned jurist and lawyers will be there to assist and advise free of charge in pre- pairing new constitution that the people will adopt. l make no pre- tentions to being great learned jurist or profound lawyer. nSr even an artful practitioner or advocate before weak court or weak jury, yet have large experience and some know ledge of the law and the administra- l ton and enforcement thereof under the four organic laws that this state has to-wit; the constitution of 1886 under which the state was admitted into the Union, of 1864 the basis of Governor Murphy's administration, of 1868, the carpet bagger reconstruction constitution, under which 1 and a majority of the best citizens of the state were disfranchsed. 1 was first elected county clerk under this con- stitution for four years in the fall of 1872, and took office on January 1st, i 1873, served two years of the term thereunder, then helped to adopt the present constitution of 1874 and was re- elected for two years hereunder, and most excellent fundamental basic law it has been, and is in the main yet; however the people of the state have pulled themselves up by the '''boot straps might say, to be the peer of any state in the union under it's wise and just provisions, until now we have outgrown it, have made large increase in population and wealth and advanced in education and improvement and progress generally, to warrant sub stitute of broader, less restrictive new constitution in some respects to keep pace and progress with other states. However, great care and caution should be exercised in making changes and additions in and to the l proposed new organic law for. this commonwealth, different from ,. the present constitution. My opinion with the present lights before me is that changes could be made in the new constitution for the government and administration of each department of state government. The legislative, executive and judicial for the better should favor broader and more liberal provision for education and schools of the state and like provision for the building and working public roads and internal improvements throughout the state However would restrict and guard the taxing power for that purpose so as not to burden the people. with excessive and oppressive taxation. I would favor a new corporation, new financial and banking system to protect both the banks and other corporations and the people equally and the state as well. favor four years term for state anC district and county office and the legislature to meet every four years favor fair just election provision and four year tenure in office and nc officer to succeed himself to the same office. I will favor liberal salaries and hold officers to strict discharge ol duties and no speculation, takeoff ol graft by him allowed. These are my views of some of the changes ant additions that suggest. However am and will be open for instruction and information from any of tho fellow citizens of my county and state