Vote Catching1 in Arkansas.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 April 1913, Page 4

Vote Catching 1 in Arkansas.

American political lii'o has lost one of its most remarkable; personalities by the recent death of Mr Davis I a Federal Senator from Arkansas. Mr Davis—who. by the way, was no relation to the Confederate President—owed his success to the wondorj ful hold lie had gained on th'e" rural population of his own State. Ho played with distinction the role of a plain, blunt man who detested city ways. For instance, when running a campaign for re-election to the Governorship, ho would; answer enquiries as to the health of himself and his family, by saying that ho was tip-top, but that Mary had oxertod herself n little too much bilin' soap, because .she couldn't rid herself of the idea that home inado~soap was preferable to the bought article. This picture of simple domesticity at the Governor's house was pure fiction, but it won hundreds of votes among the country folk. In another campaign Jeff Davis'lold hie agrcultural audience that his opponent was an aristocrat who gave himself airs and wore silk stockings. "Look at my socks, my countrymen," he said, pulling up his trousers;

"'they are the kind! to wear. Ton cents ii pair. Cotton socks are good enough for you «nd me." The comparison was greeted with yells of approval. Another story tells how he began an electioneering speech thus: "Ladies and gentlemen.—High collars are ma do for those dudes down in Little Hock. I can't make a speech when J wear one. and I hate them. J wear no man's eolLar." Then ho, tor<; the linen band and the small black cravat from his neck, took off his coat, and, remarking that he felt more comfortable, plunged into a political controversy.