The Green Forest Tribune

Wythe Walker of Fayetteville Presents His Candidacy to Tribune Readers.

Hon. Wythe Walker of Fayetteville, well-known all over the judicial district as one of the most able and successful lawyers, was in the city Friday seeing the voters in the interest of his candidacy for the office of Prosecuting Attorney.

In speaking of Mr. Walker's candidacy the Benton county Democrat says.

"There is no office within the gift of the people in which the taxpayers have a deeper interest than the office of Prosecuting Attorney.

"This official should be a man learned in the law, a strong advocate, and possessed of that ability and experience which qualifies him to successfully meet any member of the legal profession who may be employed as an opposing attorney.

'In the more important criminal cases tried in our courts the very best legal talent which money can employ is secured by the defendant, hence, it is well for the taxpayers, who are compelled to bear the great expense of our circuit courts, to see to it that the state is represented by the very best talent which can be secured by them to fill this most important office.

"Wythe Walker has been in the active practice of law for more than twenty years. He is favorably known in every county in this district. In 1898 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney. None before or since then have made a better or cleaner record.

"At the close of his two years in office, county scrip in Benton county was worth dollar for dollar. Washington county had been placed on a cash basis and had several thousand dollars to the good in the county treasury, and the financial condition of Carroll and Madison counties greatly improved.

"Mr. Walker is not entitled to all the credit for this improved condition of affairs.

"He had been assisted by efficient sheriffs and other officers in bringing about this condition. He has never claimed credit for being the only person who accomplished this result, but he certainly deserves much credit for the part he took in placing the counties in this improved condition.

In 1900 he was a candidate for re-election. While trying a felony case in the circuit court of Benton county he was stricken with paralysis, and at this time his campaign for re-election was in progress. For months he was confined to his bed, unable to engage in the campaign, and during this time the primary elections were held in Carroll, Madison and Washington counties. (This was before a uniform day was selected for primaries.) During this time he did not speak in Carroll or Washington counties. In his debilitated condition he was hauled to Madison county, where he made two speeches, and he was too ill to canvass further. After the election was held in these counties, he attempted to stump Benton county and made the best campaign his weakened condition would permit, and did this against the advice of his physicians, yielding to the urgent requests of friends, and this too at a time when his opponent, Judge Maples, had carried two out of three of the counties which had held primaries. The result was that Maples carried three counties and Walker carried his home county, Washington.

"This was thirteen years ago. Mr. Walker resumed the practice of law.

No man has ever accused him of being sore over his defeat. He has appeared in many of the most important criminal cases tried in this district since his defeat, either as defending counsel or special prosecutor. He has remained out of politics, except that five years ago he was selected by the Democratic State Convention as presidential elector for the third congressional district, and ably stumped the district for Bryan and Kern, and this at his own expense.

"Mr. Walker is a thoroughly informed lawyer, an earnest and convincing speaker, a man of unimpeachable honor and integrity, and the people have an opportunity of electing a prosecuting attorney who will be a prosecutor and not a persecutor, who will honestly and courageously look after the interests of the tax payers and reflect credit upon his district.

"Success to you, Mr. Walker.