Pocahontas star herald., 1922-07-28
State Politics Clearing UD

oeeded In the last 8 0 DAYS by enough
excitement to satisfy even the old
time politicians. Where the stream
has moved along with a serere
plaeldlty that promised not even
thrill, 1t ran upon the rocks In the
rapids during the past two weeks
and now there Is nothing but tur-
mol and strife complicated with
charges and countercharges, bitter
lnvective, elimination and recrlmi.
nation, accusations and denials and
pitlless exposure OF personal and
political pasts. 1t was a splritless
getaway, but it is proving a very
spirited finish, The state campaign
was complicated at the eleventh
hour by one of the most remarkable
swsrmings of dark horses that had
ever been known in the polite Al
paddock of Arkansas. For at least
half dozen Offices, hitherto gn-
announced candidates appeared in
the lists. Charges have been made
that their entry was in many In-
stances due to sinister political mo.
tives; that they were brought about
by private quarrels among the can
didates. Charges have been made
OF collision, but these have been
severally and consecutively denied
by those involved. Of all the dark
horses entered at the eleventh hour,
Roy Leonard of Dsrdanelle, for
Commissioner of Highways, Is the
only one who 1t appears will con.
tinue IN the race to the end, Sec
retary of State Hopper and State
Auditor Tucker are lett unopposed.
The hottest contest Is being waged
over an Office which has hitherto
been kept free from the maelstrom
of personal politics, that of Super
intendent of Public Instruction. A.
b. Hill, acknowledged to be the
candidate of the teachers of the
state, Is being opposed by j. q.
Cubage, former teacher and now
the proprietor of printing estab
lishment at ElDorado. Consider
able bitterness has developed in this
fight. There Is also an increasing
interest IN the races for Commission
er of Agriculture and State Treasur-
er. The unusual incident of a
second Jim Ferguson entering the
race against the present Commls.
sioner who Is seeking reelection
i occupied the political spotlight for
several days until he was pulled
down by the chairman of the Demo.
cratic State Central Committee who
asserted his opinion that the dark
horse who had entered with the same
name as the man now holding the
office was not a bona tide candidate.
J No effort was made to overrule the
action of the State Chairman and
jim G. Ferguson of Searcy county
Is the only Jim Ferguson whose
name will appear upon the BALLOT
August Sth. There IS also develop.
ing an increasing interest IN the
race for governor. This Is unusual
where an officer is seeking the
nominate on for a second term.
Governor McRae, in his first speech.
es. delivered last week at GreenbrIer
and May flower, opened up his
batteries upon his opponent, Judge
K. p. Toney of Lake Village, and
CHARGED that Judge Toney Is the
candidate Of the old "Penltentiary
Ring" The governor at great
length and st times with considerable
vehemence reviews and justikes his
various policies in the administra-
ton OF state affairs, and shows that
the state has been conducted upon
lines of sane economy that have in-
sured its continuance upon cash
basis and a retirement of indebted
ness inherited from the previous ad.
mlnistration without an increase In
taxation.
The excitement that has prevailed
In the state Is being reflected IN
state, district and county campaigns
and IN some localities, especially in
Little Rock where the organization
Is reputed to be very strong, the
conditions a'e being complicated by
the activities Of the Ku Klux hlan.
The public press, apparently relying
for information upon the treacher-
Gus revelations of traitors IN their
camp, presumes TO give reports Of
proceedings of the Little Rock Klan.
From these reports it appears that
the Klsn Is endorsing a ticket and
will endeavor to elect Its candidates
at the August primaries.