Brooks Hays Honor Guest at Luncheon

Abstract

Article from the Daily Courier Democrat about Brooks Hays' defeat in the 1928 Democratic primary election ; BROOKS HAYS HONOR GUEST AT LUNCHEON Gubernatorial Candidate, Returning Home "After the Battle," Finds His Friends Loyal Still. Brooks Hays, candidate for governor in the recent primary, accompanied by Mrs. Hays, came up from Little Rock, Friday afternoon to remain over night with Mr. Hays' parents. He was guest of honor Friday evening at a luncheon at Hotel Pearson, where over 100 friends and workers in the recent campaign from Pope, Johnson and Pulaski counties gathered to offer congratulations to Pope county's native son. Mr. Hays and his friends take his defeat philosophically and the occasion was one of felicitations and good cheer, rather than condolence over a tacit defeat. That Mr. Hays, with no political record back of him and no political organization championing his cause, could enter the race practically unknown and the youngest of seven candidates in the contest for governor, and run second in the race with a vote that would have been a credit to a seasoned campaigner with the prestige of years of public service, is regarded by his friends as a great moral victory, more to be proud of than the actual victory of nomination under ordinary circumstances. That he was able to carry Little Rock and Pulaski county despite the administration organization which was linked up for Acting Governor Parnell was referred to by many speakers as one of the outstanding achievements of the Hays forces. Among the visitors from Little Rock who were active Hays supporters were Grady Forgy, Ben Williams, Beloit Taylor, "Bill" Williams, Homer Dill and Bolon B. Turner, Mr. Hays' law partner. Friends from Johnson county included Jess Reynolds, Fred Bradley, George Ladd, Garland Harmon and Raymond Ladd. Hon. Robert Bailey was toastmaster and called up-on the out of town guests for short talks. Other speakers included Judge A. B. Priddy, Hays' campaign manager, Tom D. Bullock, County Superintendent; the Rev. C. V. Hickerson, pastor of the First Baptist church; Rev. Geo. W. Patterson, pastor of the Christian church, and Mrs. J. A. Livingston. Judge Priddy, whom, other speakers referred to as the ''high-powered campaign manager, was declared by the Little Rock visitors to have been the most efficient manager in any of the gubernatorial headquarters, spoke at some length on the duties of citizenship and deplored the indifference of most voters in elections and matters of state. Mr. Hays was the closing speaker. He expressed again his appreciation of the loyalty of his home people, and declared that his homecoming reception here during the campaign and the unshaken loyalty and confidence manifested by this occasion, when he returned home a defeated candidate rather than with the laurels of victory, would ever remain in his memory as two of the outstanding events of the campaign. Alongside of these, he said, were the memories of the wonderful reception accorded him. at Morrilton and at his rally in the Capital City August 5 and at his speaking there the following Monday evening. He related many interesting experiences of the campaign, among them his introduction to an audience at Newport by a woman 76 years of age. Many amusing incidents were also related. His campaign carried him into every county in the state and consisted of nearly 300 speeches - a record never before equaled by any candidate. This was made possible, he said, by improved modes of transportation. Even the late Senator Jeff Davis in his most strenuous campaigns was able to fill but two or three speaking dates in a day, whereas Mr. Hays, traveling generally by automobile over improved highways but resorting frequently to trains and even airplanes, was able to fill from six to eight engagements daily. Frequent reference was made by other speakers to the likelihood of Mr. Hays again seeking the office of governor two years from now, but he said that he has no plans at present other than to devote his attention to his law practice. Further political aspirations, he said, would have to be determined by the future. If two years from now. he said, the people seem to want him for governor, and he were convinced that he could better serve his people and the state than others who might at that time aspire to the office, he would then determine his course. Conditions which will determine his course at that time, he said, cannot be forseen two years in advance.