Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-12-28
PINE BLUFF, ARK.,IDEe. s2S. 18s'
"Needed Legislation ]"


 Under the above caption iCounty Judge W. D. Jones in an article in the Christmas edition ofsthe Graph ic last Sunday, pointed out some needed reforms in our State laws, especially as applied to Jefferson county.
 The four needed reforms pointed out by Judge Jones are Ithe follow inp:
 1-Revision of the revenue laws to equalize assessments, and to re- qulre annuallyl theiIpaYmenti of a fixed sum in Q taxes from each county.lnsteadzof the present 'sys- tenn.
 2-The passage of an act to authorize counties, with the consent of the leYying court, to purchase a county convict farm and to use con yicts on the public roads.
 3-The passage of an act to reim- purse the county for the cost of con- viction in felony cases, the State re- ceiving the labor of the conyicts.
 1.-The registration of county warrants, as is done at present with the warrants ofsathegcity of Pine Bluff.
 The Graphic desires to endorse and discuss these propositions briefly.
 1-Revision of the revenue laws for the purpose of equalizing the burdens.of taxation. This can prob ably be done under our present con stitution in no way except by the creation of State Board of Equali- zation. Several unsuccessful efforts have been made in the past to se- cure the passage of such law by the General Assembly of the State But the people have become more educated alongsthis line, and pros poets are better now than in the past for securing the passage of such a law. The inequalities of our pres ent system of taxation have long been noted. Under the present system property is assessed at a minimum valuation with the high est rate of taxation allowed under our State constitution. The posi- tion should be reversed. Weshould have the highest rate of valuation with the lowest rate of taxation. This would show more wealth in the State and the low rate of taxation would serve as an inducement for immigration and the establishment of manufacturing industries.
 2-The purchase of a county con- vict farm would abolish the obnox- .ious lease system. The State has successfully shown that it can profita'bly employ the conyicts in farming. The same can be done by the county and the convicts treated in more humane manner. As Judge Jones suggests, by this method part of the county convicts could also be utilized on the public roads to the great betterment of the condition of the people. Such measure as Judge Jones advocates on this line would be of great bene- fit to all the large counties of the State.
 3-The passage of law to reim- burse the county for the cost of con- viction in felony cases IS measure of justice and would be of great benefit to every county in the State. Under the present system the coun- ty bears the expense of conviction and the State receives the labor of the convict and the profits arising therefrom. From this labor the profits to the State for the year 1898 are estimated at $6O, ,OOO. Since the State enjoys the profit arising from the labor of the convict, it should also share the expense of convicting the convict and bringing him to the penitent.ary.
 'ee experience of the city of
 .e in registering her war
 cgs the benefit to be de-