The Harrison times., 1920-03-27
POLITICAL NEWS
Of THE STATE
BY CLIO HARPER

more tense. With the approach OF
summer. the candidates who intend to
make the race must declare them
selves. They cannot continue much
longer to tiirt with the Hamlet conun-
drum, TO be or not to be
The interest naturally continues cen.
tered in the race for governor, with
one candidate north of the Arkansas
river against seven in a triangle south
OF Little Rock.
The indications are that there is in
process a political realignment in
some quarters that may be expected to
bring about some radical changes in
the best laid plans of some of the can.
didates.
1t is believed that there will be less
of ring-rule, or factional politics this
time than ever before-the voters are
determined to run their own affairs,
and that no one man or set nf MN
can pull the wires and make them
dance whether they like the music orI
not.
An Old.time political machine that
is supposed to have been most power
ful for many years has become very
largely tradition and a bOgey with
which to frighten the timid
There is no machine in the state
now that can be said to WELD an over.
reaching influence. Time was, when
it was thought-and often there was
just ground for the belief,-that no
one could be elected to an office unless
he wore the collar of the ring.
But times are different now, in nat
ional, state, county and ward politics.
Ring-rule and machine-made office
holders are not nearly so popular as
the machinists used to say they were.
1t is this spirit Of political independ-
ence that accounts for the unprece-
dented number Of aspirants for office,
from president Of the United States
down to road oyerseer
There have been few developments
during the last few weeks and the nu-
merous candidates seem to be marking
time for the other fellow to move
There is a Discrimination on the part
Of all candidates to open the campaign
so soon that they will be winded in |
the race through the hot summer
months. And the longer the race, the
more expensive it will be.
The most important recent develop.
ment in the governors race is the for.
NAL announcement of former Con.
gresham J. c. Floyd of Yellville. His |
friends claim for him a geographical
advantage over his opponents who are
punched in the south.
Judge f. p. Toney's promised an
nOunCement has not been forthcom-
ing, nor has Frank Milwee made
known his intentions. Former Sheriff
Will Hutton of Little Rock, who had
been mentioned among the probabili-
ties, eliminated himself by coming out
for County Judge of Pulaski county,
so far without opposition. There are
half dozen others whose names have
been considered but it is probable that
the next governor will be chosen from
among the eight already in the field
Developments are also slow in the
other state Offices, During the last
few weeks, VIM, b. Owen has definite. |
ly announced that he will be cand. |
date for another term as Commission.
er of State Lands, Highways and I'm
proyements He is at the head of the |
biggest business enterprises in the
state. As chairman of the Highway
Commission, he has supervision of
the highway program Of ten thousand
miles Of hard.surface road at a cost |
Of about $ll5,O0O,OOO to the taxpayers.
He is also in charge of the War Equip,
ment Division, which has control Of
road working material from the War
Department of the Federal Govern.
ment that threatens to increase to a
value Of four or five million dollars.
The only other probable candidate for
this Office is Herbert r. Wilson, chair.
man Of the Arkansas Corporation
Commission
There promises to be lively con,
test for Auditor Of State, with Depu.
ties Smith and McAmis, Of the pres.
ont office, in the race, also 0. s. Riem. |
former Deputy Auditor
For Secretary Of state, Ira Hopper
ls making an active canvass, j. B |
Reayes says that he will get into the
campaign strong very soon, and moth. |