The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-03-28
WEDNESDAY. MARCH as.

The house passed the Merriman bill
providing for the completion of the
state capitol building on the site of
the old penitentlary at cost not to
exceed s1.OOO,OO0.
Mr. Cook introduced resolution
providing for the discouuting OF notes
for sl05 0oO held against the state as
part consideration for the state convict
farm.
The senate passed the bill authoriz-
ing circuit Judges TO parole a certain
class OF criminals
The Senate.
The first regular order was II. Il.
239 reducing the fees Of sheriffs and
clerks in Fulton. Greene and several
other northern counties. The bill
passed.
Senator Adams introduced n bill to
compel the closing OF saloons and
gambling houses at o'clock in the
evening.
$. b. l15, to authorize circuit courts
Co parole criminals. was read third
time.
Senator Rlson opposed the measure
on the ground that 1t was unconstitu-
senators cov,rston. N57sood ss,ud
Wilson supported the bin which was
passed.
Senator Sengel presented an amend
mont TO the worlds fair appropriation
bill, providing that the commissioner
of mines, manufactures and agricul-
ture, who had been added to the fair
board by n house amendment should
act as manager Of the state exhibit
without additional salary from that OF
his state office
Senator Covington read n letter which
alleged that Judge bradford had APP
propriated money to his own use while
clerk OF Lonoke county In collecting
fees not provided by law.
Senator Fletcher spoke at length in
defense Of Judge Bradford. lie said
that the fees collected by the latter
had been collected by previous clerks.
The debate became so heated that the
sergeant at arms was called upon to
restore order
y motion TO postpone the bill failed
and a motion TO reconsider the meas
ure so that the amendment might be
voted upon was carried
without taking further action on
the bill the senate adjourned.
The House.
The special order, IT, h. 400. pro-
viding for the completion Of the state
capitol building was taken up.
The measure as amended provides
for the completion Of the building at
a cast of not over $l000.000. also for
commission composed Of Ave mem
bcrs, and for continuance OF n tax
Of oue-half mill for the purpose OF rails
| ing funds. The bill also provides that
the architect shall not receive more
than per cent of the total cost Of the
| building
\ motion that the bin be placed back
on second reading was lost and on roll
call IT passed with only four votes In
the negative
Mr. Pindall called mp his bill to de-
tach certain territory from Drew coun-
~ and attach the same to Desha coun-
IT, which was passed,
H. -. 1917 OBranO, was called up
This bill provides the following scale
of charges for long distance telephone
messages: For 100 miles or less rs
| cents and g cents additional for every
/ 20 miles over 100 or fraction thereof
more than 10 miles. For messages of
more than Ave minutes an additional
| charge of 50 per cent may be made for
| each five minutes or fraction thereof
| The BIZ passed with only two mega
! tive votes.
| Mr. Cook of Chicot introduced con-
! current resolution authorizing the
| special Joint committee to confer with
| W. II. Miller. TO ascertain what dis.
count can be- secured on notes held
against the state for 100000 as part
Of the purchase price OF the convict
| farm. and declaring as the sense OF
the house that II "A reasonable discount
can be secured. II would conserve She
| interests OF the state to appropriate
| a sufficient amount to pay of the In
| dcbtednoss.
/ Mr., Cook introduced bin making
| the salary Of the secretary and pur'
chasing agent OF the state board OF
charities $4,000 per annum