Newport weekly independent., 1903-04-17
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE
Senate Passes Merriman Bill for Million Dollar State
 House.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7,

Tn the senate the Can't bill seeking to prevent the practice of drumming at Hot Springs was passed. The Hale drainage bill was also passed by the senate.
 The antitrust bill was again up in the house and consideration of amend ments consumed about half the days session. An amendment was adopted providing that the bill take effect Jan uary 1 1904.
 The Hill bill constituting certain state officials board of commissioners to manage the penitentiary and state charitable institutions was defeated in the house.
 The Senate.
 Senator Butt called up H. B. 133 CHarris), which provides that where the general road law of 1899 is adopted road overseers shall be elected by the people and not appointed by the county judge, and fixing a bond for the road overseer at $1,000. The bill was de- feated.
 H. B. 262 Baskin), requiring the weights of grain, chops, bran, meal and flour to be stamped upon each sack barrel or package containing the same, passed without a dissenting vote.
 Senator Gray called up H. B. SAP (Gantt), providing for the punishment
 
 professional conduct. MT. Witt ex- plained that the bill was intended to give relief to residents and visitors of Hot Springs. Tho bill passed.
 H. B. All (Matheny), providing regu- lations whereby surety companies may become sueties upon official bonds, was passed.
 Senator King explained that the bill was an act to amend the bill passed in March which by mistake prohibited the use of the device known as the 'crowfoot." The bill passed.
 Senator Mardis called up =. B. 324 (Hale), providing for the establishment of drainage districts.
 Senator Hardy offered an amendment to the effect that no action could be taken to form a drainage district un- less two-thirds of the property owners in the affected district sign petition therefor.
 The amendment was lost and the bill passed--ayes 13, noes z.
 The House.
 H. B. 413 (Perry). which is intended to encourage the raising of cattle and to prevent the spreading of disease among stock, was called up and passed. H. B. 435 (HilD, was read third time. It provides that the governor, secre- tary of state. auditor treasurer at- torney general, commissioner of state lands and commissioner of mines should compose a board of manage ment of the penitentiary and state charitable institutions. The bill failed to pass.
 S. B. 153 (Jobe), providing for the working of vagrants on the streets of cities and towns, passed
 The house as committee of the whole recommended that s. B. 217, all lowing teachers of the deaf mute insti- tute amounts due them on contract do paSss.
 MT. Chesnut called up senate joint resolution No. 4, proposing an amend ment to the constitution providing for a three-mill tax levy for common school purposes instead of the present two mill tax. The resolution failed to pass A motion to suspend the rules and call up s. B.. No. l, the antitrust bill, prevailed.
 An amendment to the fire insurance clause to insert the words 'in Arkan- sas' where it refers to pools and rat ing bureaus was defeated.
 MT. Chestnut moved to amend by providing that the act take effect Jan uary l, 1904. After considerable dis cussion this amendment was adopted