The Brinkley argus., 1918-05-24
JOHN H. PAGE
Commissioner of Mines, Manufactures
 and Agriculture.
CANDIDATE FOR RE.ELE(TION.

My opponent who is not farmer but a lawyer, is indulgng in mud-singng campaign to which would not soop. He has had 100000 sanderous circu lars, full of false and statements, printed, and held them back to the last days of the campaign hop ing I could not reach the people with an answer This is the usual way circulate such stuff.
 The circular undertakes to tell of charges made against by a Legislative investigating committed in 1915. Only four extracts made from the con- mittee report, and charge of corruption in either No wrong done except seen by my opponent.
 The remainder consists of false statements, false argument, and base insnuationS. Just like lawyer making mean speech fimsy testimony. In fact, this is what my opponent has done The truth of the whole matter is the examiners found no shortage, no miS-approprated ms-spent funds Everything was clean and open The Legislature of 1913 had failed to appropriate the necessary money to carry the fer tilizer inspection work. The law said to the tag money but the Auditor refused to draw warrant with out an appropriation. The Governor issued deficiency proclamation the fund in the Treasury, but the Au- ditor issued warrant and refused to issue more. The question whether would let the law go with out enforcement If did the fertilizer manufacturers would have gone into court and killed the law like was done with the feed law, and would have been crltl- csed for it. The money being piled up in the treasury and could not be used for anything ese So took part of the money received for tags and used 1t for the State, to pay the expenses and carry on the work When the Legislature met the appropriation was made the vouchers were caShed and the money depoS ited back in the Treasury. If that hadn't been done the work would not have been done the law would have been killed and Arkansas would have been a dumping place for aduerated fertilizers.
 In regard to the funds for feed tags, the Court granted an injunction Against collecting it after cer tain date I had on hand checks for about 30 days sales tags the custom to deposit every 30 days less could not return the checks because the tags had been shipped could not deposit the checks the Treasury for fear of being in contempt of court so Iheld them over and waited until the Legislature met and could have its protection. The transactions were clean and fully explained with satisfaction to the examiners, and can get statement from them to that effect.
 Another charge is that the Committee found cer tain checks in my hands, The truth is l turned over 10 them certain checks that for certain good reasons had been deposited and asked them to check the transactions They held the checks for some time and returned them to me for deposit.
 In regard to the gin sample wrappers. They were bought in lots and supplied to the gnners with out profit, to them money and to have the wrap pers uniform and in compliance with the law It was not compulsory The money received has been paid to the firm that furnished them, and nothing remains would be glad to be rid of this responsibility, if l could avoid it.
 have made you a good, faithful and honest officer, and will continue to do So if elected
 JOHN H. PAGE. Advertisement