The Forrest City times., 1899-01-20

doubtless better qualified to act than
7 am to advise. and ] submit II TO you
with the suggestion that the oio sys-
tenn of working roaus has proved SO
inefficient that an entirely new depart
ure should be made.
TAXATION.
Our revenue Laws upon the subject
of taxation are not well devised TO car
rv out that provision of the consutu-
tion which requires all taxes to be
eoual and uniform and all property to
be taxed according to its value III 10
notorious fact that assessors
throughout the state do not tax prop
erty according to its value, but accord
ing to an arbitrary percentage, which
each assessor fixes according to his
own within or caprice and varying in
each county of the state. These laws
also afford a convenient shelter for
the tax-dodger, and some or the most
valuable property OF the state escapes
taxation partially and sometimes
wholly. while the poor man with MS
forty acres and his COW and his mule
paws his full measure OF taxes, De-
cause his property cannot be hld. ms
is all wrong and recommend a com.
plete revision and amendment or our
revenue laws, at least so far as they
relate to the ascertainment OF the val
ne of corporate property and the pow
ers and duties of assessors and boards
of equalization. Nothing like equality
and uniformity can be'obtained with
ont the creation Of a state board Of
equalization. and l recommend that
YOU create one. which may consist of
state or county officers already In ex-
istence.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The laws of this state provide for
the appointment by the governor at
stated times of state board of health.
and invest It with certain powers and
impose upon it certain duties in the
interest of health and life among the
people of the state. but last general
assembly failed TO make any appro-
priation TO enable the board to per-
form those duties or exercise those
powers During the prevalence of
yellow fever In some of our sister
states I found 1t necessary TO expend
n considerable part of the small con-
tingent fund appropriation for the
governors office. in aiding the board
to protect our people against the
spread of that dreadful disease. This
was wholly insufficient for this pur-
pose, and we are indebted more TO the
merciful providence of God than to-
any exertions we were able to max,
for our escape from IL. At other times
during my administration smallpox
made it's appearance In different sec
lions of the state and threatened II
become epidemic and widespread
This caused other drafts upon the
governors contingent fund. which
was wholly inadequate for the pur-
pose The medical gentlemen compos-
ing the board of health are deserving
of great commendation for the man
her in which they have discharged
their duties. but they advise me that
the health and lives of the people are
in constant danger from the epidem-
les peculiar to our southern states.
and that we cannot hope for continued
exemption from them unless means
are provided for adopting the neces-
sary safeguards against their spread.
| therefore recommend that a suitable
appropriation be made for this pur.
pose.
UNIFORM STATE LAWS.
The American Bar Association has
been engaged for a number of years
in endeavoring to create uniformity in
the law of the different states. In
aid of that movement more than hall
Of the states OF the Union have pro-
yided commissioners to confer to-
gether and recommend such uniformi-
ty as deemed advisable. The com
missioners from these different states
have conferred together. and in 1896.
the conference recommended an act
entitled, "A General Act Relating to
Negotiable instruments" This act
has been adopted by the state of New
York, Florida. Connecticut. Colorado.
Maryland. Virginia and Massachusetts.
and has been favorably reported in
both branches of congress for the Dis
trict of Columbia. and passed unanl-
mously in the house of representatives.
a copy of this act has been furnished
me, and l have examined il with great
care and diligence. / find il to be
really n codification of the laws relat-
ing to negotiable instruments. and I
believe it will be of great benefit to
our commercial and business men i'm
general, as well as to all who may deal
in negotiable instruments. If adopted
by you. 1t puts the law in such shape
that it may be readily understood by
any person of ordinary understanding.
and will do away with the necessity
of searching through hundreds of
books TO find what the law on that sub
ject really is. | recommend its pass
age by you. and will furnish a copy.
If so desired. to any committee or com
mittees of your respective bodies.
ELECTION OF UNITED STATES
SENATORS.
/ am Informed that a bill or resolu-
ton providing for an amendment to
the constitution of the United States
requiring United States senators to
be elected by direct vote of the peo-
pie has passed the house of represen-
tatives of the congress of the United
States, and is now pendinc before tho