The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1885-03-05
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURES.
A Resume of the Weeks Work in
Both Houses.

ing of the journals Senator Crittendeh
said that the senate acted little
hastily yesterday in tabling the
Joint resolution to take q recess FOR
the purpose of going to New Orleans,
in as much as the invitation had
come from private individuals, and
he entered a motion to reconsider
the vote by which the resolution was
tabled. House bill to confirm and
make valid certain acts OF the gov
ernor, treasurer and commissioner OF
state lands, in relation to the sale
and redemption heretofore OF Real
Estate Bank lands, was laid over
until Friday. Senate bill to regu-
late the sale of school lands, pro-
vlding that Purchasers may pay all
cash for such lands if they desire to
do so, with house amendment, was
taken up. The senate concurred IN
the amendment. which fixed the
price of the lands at 81 l25, By vote
of ayes 10, noes 8. Senate bill to
regulate the sale and redemption of
Real Estate Bank lands belonging
to the state, was recommltted TO the
committee on state lands. Senator
Crittenden, from the committee on
state lands, reported house bill No.
224, recommending that it pass. 1t
donated four acres Of land, south Of
the penitentiary, to the Ladies' Be
nevolent Association. for the Ladies
Benevolent hospital. After the final
reading OF the bill it passed-ayes
15, noes IA. Immediately thereafter
the vote was reconsidered and the
bill killed. Senate bill to prevent
the granting of free passes by rail
roads was taken up as unfinished
business, and ELECTED considerable
dlscusslen. Senator Embrv thought
the time had come when the ques-
ton should he met like men, and
not like boys. What was the object
that the senate should dodge this
subject from year to year, when the
people were looking on them with
suspicion? The constitution COM
manded the Legislature to pass
law like this. 1t had been discuss
ed since 1874, and now the matter
came up, with nothing on earth but
simply carrying out the constitution.
And now gentleman wanted to re-
fer it 10 The committee on railroads.
He was In favor of a fair, square
vote. If members did not wish to
meet 1T, let them absent themselves.
Senator Crittenden-The bill has
never been before the committee.
Senator Embry continued, saying
gentlemen talked about how honest
and high they were, but they ought,
like Caesars wife, to be above sus-
picion, and not be stuffed with free
passes until it would take u Mother
Hubbard TO cover their deformlties.
What other object did tue railroads
haye in granting free passes except
to influence legislation. He knew
gentleman that had done service Tor
the Pine Bluff Railroad and he re
ceived free pass. He rode on 1t.
He afterwards asked for a pass on
the Fort Smith Railroad. Mr.. w Wood-
son indorsed his request to Mr..
Wood, the general manager, saying
he was eatitled to it for services rem
dered Mr.. Wood refused to grant
it, saying he knew of no services
rendered that entitled the gentleman
to q pass. He was afterwards elect
ed to the senate and hardly taken
his scat when he received free pass
from Mr.. Wood, before he had even
had chance to do service for the
railroads. The gentleman sat down
and wrote q letter, returning the
pass.
Senator Thornton not that
gentleman holding public office
when he asked for pass?
Senator Embry-l have told his
history just as l wanted to tell it.
Senator Embry then went on with
an earnest argument in favor OF the
bill, hoping the senate would meet
the question face to face.
The vote on the bill was chen
taken, senators explaining why they
voted for or against the measures,
many of them saying they voted for
it, although it was NEST arrant
pieces of demagogy, which was IN
Lroduced simply as hobby on which
TO ride into Office.
The bill passed by the following
vote:
Ayes-Senator Crittenden, Crock
EFT, Embry, Gardner, Hicks, Holmes,
Hudson, johnson, Mcconnell, Nor
wood, Peters, Pettigrew, Potts, Ross,
Smith, Thomson, Thompson, Thorn
ton, Van Glider, Walker, Waller,
Wells, Williams, Presidhnt Weaver
"a.
Noes--Senators Baxter, Simmons,
Tate, Tnane, Williamson, Jennings
20.
The rules were suspended and SEN
ate bill, No. 154 was taken up. 1t
was to Provide for support OF state
government by taking funds from
the sinking fund. The bill had
been reported adversely by the fl
nance committee. The bill was read
the last time, and passed.
Senator Cnttenden called up his
bill declaring Tyronza river a navi-
gable stream. lit was read the sec