The Van Buren press., 1899-01-21
The House.

Little Rock Jan. 1.-THE chaplain invoked
divine blessing upon the general assembly
after Speaker Vandeyenter had called the
house to order at 9 a. m.
Mr. Jobe presented the following concurrent
resolutions
Whereas There have for several years ex-
listed certain secret fraternities in our state
university at Fayetteville that create and
maintain class exclusiveness and privileges,
with few exceptions, to the rich mans son, and
Whereas, The general assembly of the state
OF Arkansas has from time to time sent COM
mittees to see after all things pertaining to the
general welfare of this institution and have on
all occasions failed to see and investigate the
evils resulting from these fraternities, and
Whereas, The enrolment of students in the
university is 100 smaller than 1t was a year
ago; be 1t therefore
Resolved. BY the house OF representatives
the senate concurring thereto. that the joint
committee appointed by the speaker of the
house and president OF the senate be instructed
to make a special investigation Of these secret
fraternites and the evils that result there
from and that the said committee be requested
to embody in their report the results OF said
investigation together with such suggestions
as they may see proper to remedy this evil.
The resolution was adopted.
Concurrent resolution providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee to visit and report
upon the branch normal school at Pine Bluff,
was adopted.
The following bills were presented and each
read first time.
BY Mr. Cotton Providing for q uniform
system Of text books.
Mr.. Craig-To locate and establish district
cattle quarantine line in the state Of Arkansas.
Mr.. Colquitt-To establish a railroad COM
mission.
Mr.. Ewell-To require change OF venue petit
tions to be supported by the affldavits OF six
creditable persons.
Mr. Fields-To submit an amendment to the
constitution providing for quadrennial elec-
tions on the first Monday in September.
Mr.. Hathcock-To provide for the consolida-
tion OF state and national elections
Mr.. Foster - To require persons receiving
liquor license to pay 1850 as county tax, $3.50 as
state tax and 9 per cent on the amount paid as
collectors fees, and pay the same amount Of
tax and fees for any period less than one year.
Mr.. Gannaway-To amend law in regard to
changes Of venue so as to give circuit judges
enlarged power in the premises.
Mr.. Henderson - To regulate verdicts Of
juries in civil and misdemeanor cases, making
1t lawful to return verdict on a two-thirds
vote Of the jury
Mr. Humphreys -T To provide for working
roads and highways. 1t makes each political
townshipa road district and enables the voters
OF each township to elect on oVerseer
Mr. Jobe-To regulate payment OF life insur-
ance in Arkansas
Mr. Moss-To fix prosecuting attorneys fees
as follows; For judgments obtained on COM
plant, or otherwise, s.; for each conviction on
indictment, or otherwise, for msdemeanor or
breach of peace $40; for each gambling con-
Wction, $40; felony conviction, not capital, s25;
homicide, 1885, capital cases, SIS. The bill also
doubles present fines for gaming.
Mr. Nance-To fix the maximum rate OF legal
interest at per cent
Mr. McCauley- mayors to SOL
emnize marriages within the limits of their
own counties
Mr. Light - Prescribing ccnditions upon
which foreign corporations may do business in
this state
Mr. Nixon-To consolidate state and national
elections
Mr. Nichols-Joint resolution proposing a
constitutional amendment for Quadrennial
elections
Mr. Parker-To tax gifts, legacies, etc.
Mr. Patton-To provide for examination of
private banks and banks incorporated under
article /, chapter II, of the digest.
At noon the house adjourned until o'clock
Monday morning.