The Russellville Democrat., 1891-03-26

Mr. Morgan said that he knew
 ry little about railroads. There
 re no such things in his county,
 judging om what the gentle
 b, who had preceded him, had
 he had almost come to the con olusion that railroads were unmiti gated nuissnces. He did not be- lieve in g commission bill of any kind. He could see no good reason for the legislature directing it's efforts to break up enterprises, upon which the prosperity of the country con fessedly depended. Referring to Mir. Coffman, the iutroducer of the bill, Mir. Morgan said: I am sat isfed the gentleman who introduced it did if in good faith. All he has said in this house would indicate that his motives are patriotic, and his eff forts have been directed to promote the welfare and concern of the best interests of the state"
 Mr. Head spoke against the bill. He said he would vote for it if the people had anything to do with the selection of the commissioners.
 Mir. Lamkin intended at first not to say anything ou the bill, but as it was one of the most important messurers that had been introduced in the legislature he thought it should be fully discussed before it wss finally disposed of. He regarded the law of 1887 as a dead letter. It made no difference to railroad com pany whether it was called into a court or not; their expenses were just the same. The constitution of Arkansas did not prohibit the crea- ton of commission, as he under stood it, and that even if the com mission should be judicial tribunal there was nothing in the constitution preventing it from being so regarded.
 Mir. Sevier spoke in opposition to the bill. He read extracts from the last report of the interstate commerce commission to prove that the laws Of Arkansas in regard to railroads were as good as those in any state in the union. The ways and means con- mittee, he said. had been instructed to cut down the appropriations $135 900, and yet, on the following day, the legisls ture was preparing to pass bill that there was no telling how much money would be required to. o.csrry out its provisions. He could see no demand in Arkansas for a railroad commission.
 Mr. Peterson said he did not be- lieve there was a member in the house who was in favor of driving the railroads out of the state. He thought, however, that it was neces- sary that the people should provide some measure to prevent the further encroachment upon their rights or , of corporate greed.
 Mir. Rector moved that the fur ther consideration of the bill be \ postponed until Saturday. The ] motion prevailed.
 Mir. Sevier, chairman os the conn mittee on ways and means, reported house bill 166, with amendments, being a bill for the support of the deaf mute institute. Read second time and placed on the calendar. The committee also reported favorably house bill 165 with amend ments, this being bill for the sup port and maintenance Of the insane asylum. Read second time and placed on the calendar.
 MT. Chimney reported house bill 231 as correctly engrossed. This is bill to facilitate the settlement of the accounts between the present state treasurer and ex Treasurer Woodruff.
 On motion of Mir. Chimney the rules were suspended and the bill was read third time.
 On motion of MT. Crabtree the further consideration of the bill was postponed till Monday.
 Senate bill providing for the main- fenance of the school for the blind was read first time and referred to . the committee on ways and means.
 The house then adjourned until 9:30 o'clock Friday morning