‘He Was a Gentleman’ (Editorial)

Rep. Ray Thornton (D-Ark.) addresses the House of Representatives on Jan. 28, 1991.

Ray Thornton, who died last week at the age of 87, recalled an earlier era in Arkansas politics, when compromise wasn’t considered treason, when people could be political foes but personal friends or, at least, friendly.

Arkansas has lost several of this old breed in the past year, men like John Paul Hammerschmidt and Dale Bumpers.

Thornton was warm but he was also shrewd, having once bested corporate giant Southwestern Bell Telephone in an antitrust lawsuit on behalf of the company that became Alltel.

Thornton, a Democrat, was a lawyer who became a politician, serving as Arkansas attorney general and then U.S. representative for Arkansas’ 4th District and later its 2nd District.

He became president of Arkansas State University in 1980 and of the University of Arkansas in 1984 and served on the state Supreme Court from 1997-2005.

On the national scene, Thornton may be best remembered for his role, as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, in drafting articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon.

Less known, however, is that Thornton was also an entrepreneur, having helped design, for Arkla — Thornton’s uncle, W.R.”Witt” Stephens, was chairman at the time — the “Handywagon,” which the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture described as a “utility-type service vehicle.” Manufacturing costs were too high, however, to allow for large-scale production.

Regard for Thornton was fittingly bipartisan.

“He was a gentleman, who always wore a smile and welcomed everyone he met with civility and a warm heart,” former Gov. Mike Beebe said. “But he was most admired for his intellect, his integrity, his leadership abilities, and his passion for serving the people of our state.”

And from Gov. Asa Hutchinson: “Ray was an Arkansas gem who passionately served the people of this state for many years. He was a man who had a genuine heart for the people of Arkansas.”