The Pulaskian., 1917-04-06
ANNOUNCEMENT OF
 ASHLEY COCKRILL
Announces as Candidate For consti tutional convention-States
 His Views.
To the Voters of Pulaski County:

To the Voters of Pulaski County:
 take this means of making public my announcement as a candidate for delegate from Pulaski county to the constitutional convention.
 That convention will have the most important work to do, and will as- sume the greatest responsibility that any body of Arkansas men has had since 1874, or will have for years to come. To do ones full duty to tue state as delegate to that convention one must not only give his undivided time and attention to the work during the sessions of the convention, but must also devote considerable time prior to the meeting of the conven- ton to careful and analytical study of our present constitution, with view of remedying it's defects. That involves the consideration of the nu- merous amendments which have been suggested, and also the study of re- cent and modern constitutions Of other sates. I believe that it is just as important for delegate to prepare himself to meet and discuss intelli- gently the propositions that are likely to arise in the convention as for lawyer to prepare himself for the trial of law suit, and the most important one, too, that he has ever had, or ever will have. If elected intend to make such preparation.
 I am not one of those who regard the constitution of 1874 as played out or who think that it should be cast aside as useless. I am opposed to reckless changes, and do not love change for the sake of change. think we should value the stability of our institutions, and love those things which we are proud of having creat. de. The constitution of 1874 is indeed a remarkable instrument especially when we consider that it is more than 40 years old. As amended and con strued by the courts, it compares to- day favorably with most state consti- tutions, and is superior to many fully realize, however, that consider able patching has harmed it's symme try, and that it needs amendment i'll many parts. 1 believe that perfecting it can be better and more quickly ac- complished by the adoption of a new constitution than by the slow process of amendment now in force.
 My platform is not so much a new constitution as improvement of the present one The important provi- sions of the constitution of 1874 have been construed by the Supreme Court 50 often, and usually so ably. that we now have settled constitutional jur- isprudence in this state, which should not be swept away except where ne- cessity demands. I think that our present constitution should be retain ed word for word, except where time and circumstances have clearly demon strated that it should be changed, and those changes should be made in spirit of progressive conservatism and slow haste.
 have no especial interests to pro- tect, no axes to grind, no hobbies to satisfy, and nothing in mind except giving to the work my best and most faithful efforts.
 I think that no candidate should pledge himself to any particular meas ure in all it's details. because he thus shuts himself off from the benefit of discussion and of the views express ed by other delegates, and I would