The Van Buren press., 1901-01-26
GOY. DAVIS MESSAGE.
Suggests Several Amendments to
Antitrust Act Passed by the
Last General Assembly.
WOULD ABOLISH CAPITOL COMMISSION
Ana Vest Power Of Supervision of Work
on New State House in a Board to Be
Composed of Executive Oficers of tho
State - Liberal Appropriations Urged
for State Charitable Institutions.

Gov. Davis inaugural message was
read before the general assembly in
Joint session Friday, the 18th.
The first recommendation in the
message pertains to the antitrust act
of the last Legislature. 1t is pointed
out that while the general assembly
has the power, If it were desirable,
to absolutely prohibit foreign corpor-
ations from transacting business in
this state. but that Is neither ex.
pected nor desired. If they seek our
borders for legitimate investment and
legitimate trade, not tainted with the
stain of being member of pool or
trust or conspiracy to control prices,
then our doors should BE- thrown open
and every legitimate inducement Of
fered for their coming" and suggests
that the first clause Of the above act
be amended to read;
ANY corporation organized under
the laws Of this or any other state or
country, and conducting any kind Of
business in this state or any partner.
ship or individual or other associas
tion of persons whatsoever, who arc
now, or shall hereafter create, enter
into, become a member Of or party
to, any pool, trust agreement com.
bination, confederation or under
standing in this state or elsewhere,
with any other corporation, partner.
ship, individual or other person or as
sociation of persons to regulate or fix,
either in this state or elsewhere, the
price of any article Of manufacture,
mechanism or merchandise, or the
price or premium to be paid for m
suring property against loss or dam
age by fire, ETC.
The second clause Of section one Of
the act, be amended to read:
Cor who are now, or slall hereafter
enter into, .ecome member Of, or q
party to, any pool, trust, agreement,
contract, combination, association or
confederation, whether made In
state or elsewhere. to fix or limit In
this state or elsewhere. the amount
or quantity Of any article Of manu-.
facture, mechanism, merchandise, or
the price or premium to be paid for
insuring property against loss or
damage by fire."
1t is also urged that the act be 30
amended as to compel officers Of cor.
porations against whom charges are
made to appear before the officer au.
thorzed to take testimony, and to ex.
hibit such books, papers, etc, as may
be desired for the purpose Of the
act also that the sale Of such arti.
cles manufactured or controlled by a
trust Of combination Of the class des.
ignated be restricted. and that the
purchaser may plead the act as dc.
fense against an action for the pur.
chase price thereof"
On the fellow servant law, IL 10
suggested that the same be amended.
80 that the employees Of oil cor.
poratlons engaged In any kind Of has.
ardous undertaking. be placed upon
an equal footing before the law with
other citizens, and that the employees
he given the right Of recovery In the
courts OF the country for oil injuries
sustained In the line Of their employ.
mont, whether the same results from
the carcles3ness, negligence or wilful
misconduct Of q fellowservant or 9th.
er employe Of said corporation"
Repeal of tho state railroad act OF
1897 Is urged; that the insurance
clause In life insurance policies be
declared void, unless shown that the
insured contemplated suicide at the
time the policy was written; 1t is
urged appropriations be made for en-
larging the insane asylum, rebuilding
the deaf mute institute, the erection
and maintenance Of reform school
for minor offenders against the law.
and for the proper care Of INDECENT
Confederate veterans.
The last matter touched upon 10
tho building Of the new state capitol.
After reviewing his acts as attorney
general In teDting through the courts
the constitutionality Of the measure
providing for tho builditg OF the new
state house, and the authority Of tho
penitentiary boara In tearing down
the old penitcntiary buildings and
erecting new ones on another site,
Gov. Davis recommends "dlspensina
with tho services Of an architect and
substituting for the present board
certain state officials anu empowering
them 10 employ at a sahry to DO fixed
by you, a suitable and competent per.
son 10 superlatend anu control the
construction of said work under the
direction Of said board; and that
provision be made by which said
board would be authorized TO con.
tract said work az the same shall
progress, to competitive bidders, TAX.
ing from the contractor a bond to In
sure tho faithful performance Of HE
contract, upon the basis that tho
state furnish such labor az shall 10
available from its convlcts."