The Monticellonian., 1901-01-25

erai Pensions for Needy Confederate
 Veterans.
 In his farewell message to the general assembly Gov. Jones reviews at length the affairs of state.
 Attention is called to the fact that through legislation the public debt of the state has at last assumed definite proportions, the auditors and treasur- CTS reports showing that the whole indebtedness of the state is $1271- GOO of 3 per cent funded bonds. due in 1929, and s5S GOO being principal and interest of twenty-two per cent bonds of 1869 and 1870, which appear from the records to exist and to be outstanding, but which were not pre- sented and exchanged under act of May. 1899 These s58,O00 were due January l, 1900. and may really not be in existence.
 It is recommended that the act pro. yiding for a new state house be amended so as to provide that the building shall be constructed of marble granite, brick and iron To provide means to complete the strnct= ure it is recommended that the pro eeeds arising from the sale of lands and fees paid to the commissioner Of state lands, as provided in the act of April r, 1899. be still applied to this purpose until the completion of the building and that tax of three fourths of one mill be levied and col leeted from year to year until com pleton of the structure. It is also recommended that the surplus of the general sinking fund" levied under act approved May s, 1899. entitled, An act to fund the of Arkan- sas and for other purposes" be ap. propriated for this purpose. Opposi- ton is express to the proposed plan of amending the state capitol act so as to make the board of commission CTS to consist of the executive officers of the state, on the ground that they are already burdened with many cares. It is urged that work should be carried on and completed under the sole management and control of the board of commissioners, aided by the architect, and not let out by public contract.
 As to the suit instituted in behalf of the state during the coal strike in Sebastian circuit court seeking to en- join certain coal companies from i'm porting into the state miners alleged of bad character. which said cause was removed to federal court by de- fendants, it is recommended that an appropriation of $500 be made to de fray the expense of prosecuting the same to a final hearing.
 An appropriation of S1O0, or such sum as the members may think nee essary to defray the cost of placing a suitable inscription, including the coat of arms of the state, on monu- ment erected at Temple, New Hamp- shire, to the memory of Gen. James Miller, hero of Lundy's Lane and first governor of the state of Arkansas. is recommended
 It is suggested that an act he pass ed requiring all gins and mills buy ing and using seed cotton to be reg istered with the county clerk and to keep records of each bale ginned and its weight and to report, under oath, to the county clerk on Septem- Der l. each year the exact quantity ginned in order that an accurate es innate of the crop can be made
 The recommendations contained in a former message as to county convict farms are renewed, also the need of reform school for juvenile offenders.
 As to the grand jury system it is recommended that an amendment to the constitution be submitted abolish ing the system and providing that all crimes be prosecuted upon informa. tion filed by the prosecuting attorney An urgent plea is made for liberal pensions for eX-Confederate veterans. It is recommended that a sufficient appropriation be made for necessary additions to the insane asylum; also to establish textile school. the maintenance of course of mining engineering in connection with the department of geology and for erect ing an engineering building at the