calsfoundation@cals.org
April 13, 2012
James Mitchell was president and editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Democrat from the time he purchased the paper with W. D. Blocher in 1878 until shortly before his death in 1902. As editor, Mitchell made the paper a powerful statewide force backing Democratic policies and candidates. At the same time, he agitated, both in the paper and through frequent public speeches, for economic diversification in the state, educational improvement, equal pay and improved opportunities for women, and other progressive measures.