Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-11-22
pINEbLuFF. ARK, NOV. 22 lsM.
LARGEST DAILY CITY CIRCULATION
THE DUTY OF THE LEGKSL4-
 TURF.


 Under the inspiration and enthu- siasm of National Democratic success in the last election, our State would have very readily taken hold of and put in force some very much needed reforms, and while the necessity for them IS equally pertinent, the peo pie hardly have the spirit to inaa- gurate them.
 A new Constitution, by which at ore stroke, the State would be re lieved of restraints placed on it in 3 kind of a mediaeval action, the half way ground between reconstruction and our own condition now, was growing popular, but with political defeat and bad crops it would be difficult to convince the Democratic voters of Arkansas hat this would be in line of economy. While rew Constitution is necessary, it's neces- sity can be depef ded on the highest plane of the public good, We see no hope of convincing the Legislature so. About nineteen twen5ieths, or some other insignificant fraction of this body are Democrats, and they are conservative, and yet as brave under defeat as under victory. bet not so enthusiastic, by large majority. Ne are not looking for a displacement of our old hide-bound organic law, but we do urge that there are certain reforms which Arkansas has grown too big aud too great to further neglect, The trusts, the combines, the syndieates, the corporations-four of the most unholy alliances ever combined in a quadrille of infamy and oppression against the people--have got the President, got Congress, got tie courts, now let us see if they have got Arkansas, too. It remains for the Legislature to say All the in- trigues of mind and the allurements of money which this combination so well understands how to apply will be put forward to distract this body. Let Us see how well they re- sist temptations and how patriotic ally ibey uci r the pea DIe
 The State eaa eentrol railroads, express companies, te.ephene com panies, telegraph companies; can regulate their rates aud cut off ia her boundaries those unholy exac- tions and diseriminauons that these greedy yultures have SO iong fat tened upon He see no reason to them by restraining their rates below good compensatiug divi- aends, but we see much reason in preventing them using them monop- ,olies for such oppressive returns  against people a,re adT almost im. povefished by 4nisforsQaes fa agri- culture ana other evils these com 6iaes Fave them elves produced.
 nae Democratic State convention said in its last platform that this commission should be made, now lets see which wins. the party in. structian hased on principle, or the adroit use ef nelf h these matters We have certainly reached a stage where State Rights must assert itself.
 Why caa we not have 3 refotma tory school for young criminals There are hundreds of young per sons who, it. seems, will commif crime; and to place them at theil flexible, tender ages among hard ened criminals but deepens ant strengthens their vicious condition and is a greater crime against civil ization than 1t would be to let then go free.
 There is no expensive cost abou this. The State can make it labo school, and once established it vii be self.sustaining The people ta dz l5zz.2! asS ss's 4ss 5