Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-05-19

paign circular signed by my opponent. It coli- sists of falsehoods misrepresentation, Vlcl- ous insinuatons and inuendOes. leave It to the public to judge if this is the manly way 2 respectable and worthy candidate should conduct himself toward an opponent. II the charges have merit and are true, why hoC present them and let them speak for them- selves and not becloud them with nuendo and disrespectful expressions. Facts Will stand for respectful expressions. Facts will stand for themselves, and billingsgate IS neither logic nor argument.
 The Reasons
 These circulars have been printed six weeks, and are just now being sent out oy and under the direction of T. J. Terral, Secfe- tary of State, whose duties of state rest so lightly that he finds ample time to nose around into other peoples business and find fault with other departments, and manage other peoples campaigns. The circular was held back until it was thought l would not have time to answer it and reach the public.
 This vicious circular contains few refer ences to and extracts from the report o1 the legislative auditing committee made and published in March, 1915 which IS little more than three years ago, and which has been public ever since The auditing com- mittee went down in history, and with It's labors and achievements. There was never anything in my official record to conceal or to apologize for The records were open and cean-cut, but not member of the commit tee ever saw or asked to see them. The legislative committee never entered my of fice The expert accountant came and dld their work, and assured me that they found everything satisfactory. Not a dollar was found misappropriated, mis-spent or out of place. Some few checks were on hand that had not been turned into the treasury for satisfactory reasons, which were explained, and the checks were turned over to the ac- countants, that they might check up the same Some were not properly endorsed or made out, and some were held pending registration of products which was neces- sary before tags could be shipped.
 The transactions can be explained now just as they were then and in the campaign two years ago, when the matter was re- hashed. The funds were used in carrying on the work of the department. The legisla- ture made no appropriations from the fertl- lizer funds to enforce the fertilizer law of 1913. The auditor and treasurer would not pay out the funds as the law provides, claim ing it was unconstitutional The governor is- sued deficiency appropriation proclamation. The auditor still refused to issue his war rants. The money was being piled up in the treasury to carry on the work of the inspect ion, and could not be used for any other pur- pose We had to borrow money on personal credit or let the work go, or else use the money received for tags, as the law provid- ed. I used a part of the money to pay part of the expenses, and when the legislature met the appropriation was made, the couch- CTS were cashed, and the money paid back into the treasury, according to the records which had been kept so it might be check ed. l did not have to keep the money on hand It was in use for the State as intended and for the purpose directed by the Legislature
 The checks for the feed fund were held over for a mighty good reason. They am- ounted to less than thirty days receipt, and happened to be on hand when the U s. Court granted an injunction against the enforce ment of the feed law and against me selling any more feed tags or receiving any more money for feed tags, after that certain date. Having shipped the tags could not return the checks, and did not want to get in con- tempt of court by paying them into the treasury after the court order was made. So kept them on hand, and waited until the Legislature met, in order that could have legislative protection if ordered to refund the items My opponent will ask why the checks were not deposited every day. If he were not ignorant of the duties of the office and the many details he would know. There are many reasons why checks coming to de- partments can not be deposited It is never proper to deposit public funds in the treas uly until the transaction is closed, because. when once put in the treasury it cannot be drawn out again and be returned. Checks could not be deposited until endorsed and many the treasurer would not accept, so it became convenient in this as in all depart ments to turn in the checks monthly or at met the appropriations was made. the vouch- some departments now l would call atten- tion to the fact that was bonded off;cer all of that time, and public funds in the hands of one bonded officer when properly used and accounted for are just as safe as in the hands of another Why don,t .a.. o,,