The Green Forest tribune., 1917-04-13
ANNOUNCEMENT
 OF POSITION

ture calling d 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 a new constitution to the people for their ratification or rejection and fixed the 26th 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.
 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
 1 realize the magnitude, importance anu great responsibility that will rest upon delegate Tn that great conven- tion Good men and profound, learned iurist and lawyers will be there to assist and advise free of charge in pre- pairing a new constitution that the people will adopt. 1 make no pre- tentions to being great learned i jurist or profound lawyer, nor even an artful practitioner or advocate before a weak court or weak jury, yet 1 have large experience and some know ledge of the law and the administra- ton and enforcement thereof under the four organic laws that this state | has to-wit; the constitution Of 1856 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 l and a majority of the best citizens of the state were disfranchiSed. 1 was first elected county clerk under this con stitution for four years in the fall Of 1872, and took office on January lst, | 1873, served two years of the term l hereunder, 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 ot any state i'll the union under its wise and just provisions, until now we have outgrown 1t, have made large increase in population and wealth and advanced in educati and improvement and progress generally, to warrant sub l stitute of a 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 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. I 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 l would restrict and guard the taxing power for that purpose so as not to burden the people with excessive and oppressive taxation. l 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 and district and county office and the legislature to meet every four years. 1 favor fair just election provision and a four year tenure in office and no officer to succeed himself to the same office. 1 will favor liberal salaries and hold officers to strict discharge of duties and no speculation, takeott or graft by him allowed. These are my views of some of the changes and additions that I suggest. However l am and will be open for instruction and information from any of the fellow citizens of my county and state or elsewhere. 1 have no aX to grind and no interest to serve except the in- terest of the people of my county and state.
 If nominated and elected shall deem it a great crowning honor and shall re- gard myself a public servant in dis charge of a public trust under the law and my discretionary powers, and shall give my time and ability in the faithful performance of the duties devolving upon me as such delegate, fairly. justly and equally for all the people, corporations, associations and classes. l have been honored by the people of this my native county, having served as circuit clerk and recorder and county and probate clerk and one term in the legislature for which 1 have always been grateful, tried to serve you honestly and faithfully and stand upon my official record and refer those who do not know me to the same. For the last eighteen wears I have held no office.
 1 have no stock in nor am l associated or connected by employment as attor- ney or otherwise with any corporation or association for the period of one year past or any other time. This statement is made under the new law requiring candidates to the constitu- tional convention to make and file with the county clerk not less than 30 days before the special election June 18th, 1917, a sworn statement giving names of corporation to which he belongs, etc. 1 have nothing to urge against my opponent, and relying solely upon my own qualifications, fitness and merit l solicit your influence and vote.
 If elected faithful careful honest exercise of my discretionary power and discharge of the duties of the office under the law and precedents governing the same will be my chief desire and aim.
 Sincerely your friend,
 J. Polk Fancher.
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