The Forrest City times., 1907-01-18
THE NEW CAPITOL BUILDING

| State as to the advisabilty of the State | emharking upon this great undertaking | but in my opinion the State has now l reached point in its expenditures for this l purpose, that 1t Is no longer a question | whether we believe the policy was wise | one or not when adopted. It now becomes l your duty and mine to take such action as will secure the completion of the building | in accord with the contract, and secure to l the State the best results possible for the | monies already expended as we'll as that | to be expended in the execution of the con 1 tract. Large contracts and expenditures of l this sort can not be too closely scrutinized 1 by the proper agencies of the State. Many | charges and imputations have been made
 involving the integrity of the work which ! has been done-at least enough has been l charged not only to attract your atten. l ton, but to demand of you a full, complete
 and thorough investigation of the work
 and expenditures connected herewith.
 STATE CONNECTS
 The best method to be adopted for the | management and employment of the con- victs of the State is one that Is always 1 attended with more or less difficulty. l Whatever method Is pursued 1t should be 1 the purpose of the State, far as possible
 to see that the convlets are humanely l treated and properly fed and clothed That l their labor be not brought into eompeti- l tion with free labor, and that they be
 made seif-supportlng. The leasing of con victs to private persons or corporations l has been so often condemned by the people 1 of this State and has often been the | fruitful source of cruelty and corruption
 as to render its discussion unnecessary. l The system should be permanently aban- l doned at as early a date as practicable.
 -. In my judgment the penitentiary ought l to be under the management of an indepen- l dent board of control. composed of three
 members to be appointed or designated l either by the Governor or by such other l proper method as will in your judgment
 secure the best and most capable service. ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
 Closely connected with our educationa.
 interests Is the need of road improvement l throughout the State. This Is conceded | by all and it's great importance in our | progress and development is self-evident. We all agree that the best possible method | for their improvement should be adopted
 consistent with our financial condition, and
 the needs of people. but in whatever
 additional legislation you may deem wise
 to enact. care must be taken not to unwIse- | ly increase the burden upon the public
 treasury. Under present laws much pro-
 gress has been made in the improvement of
 the roads in many sections of the State, l
 counties have willingly caused to be levied
 the road tax. and almost without excep-
 ton where monies thus raised have been | wisely and economically expended. the sys.
 tenn Is growing In popularity. In this con
 nection the employment of convict labor
 upon the road work, has been the subject | of much discussion. I commend this sub
 ject to your consideration with the sugges
 tion that provision be made for the em l ployment of all available convcts not
 needed upon the State farm in this work 1 under such provisions and limitations as
 will maintain the county as the unit | or basis of action.
 LEVY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM I desire to specially call your atten-
 ton to the great importance of the levy
 and drainage interests of the State. So | many interests not only of individuals but
 of the State are involved in retaining
 and protecting these lands, which are as
 rich as any lands in the world. that l need only call your attention to their i'm portance. and to solicit your prompt and
 careful consideration of all needful and
 beneficial legislation, looking to the better ment of the levy and drainage interests in | the State.
 l BANKING LAWS.
 At present we have no adequate banking l
 which Is necessary for the protection of the l deposltors, we'll the security of the l legitimate banking interests of the State, against wild eat" institutions and reckless l adventures. Too great interest is al stake
 to let this condition longer exist. there | fore recommend to you the importance of | this subject with the hope that such Jaws
 may be enacted as will give to the State a
 sound system of banking. that will add
 strength and stability to these institutions
 and afford full protection to deposItors and
 stock holders, and to effectually prevent the
 organization and imposition upon the public
 of unsound institutions. based upon fictitious
 capital, with no sufficient safeguards to
 give assurance of their stability. This
 should be accomplished without expense
 to the State, requiring the banks to bear
 the burden of their own inspection and reg 1 ulatlon.
 1 THE TRUSTS.
 The contest in this country for the over | throw of monopoly and preda tory wealth generally known trusts can not be aban-
 doned unless we are ready to substitute the rule of greed and oppression for the rule | of the people Under our dual system of | Government certain powers were delegated ] to the general government, all others being
 retained by the States or people. Each within their sphere deemed sovereign anu tohlplele anu DN the concurrent eAeT- else of these powers to prevent monopoly, Is our present hope Some tell us that the State is po~erless to destroy the trusts and that the exercise of it's powers to regu. late business within Its borders Is not effective. and its attempt only brings chaos
 and inconvenience. That the States will not act in concert, etc. and therefore that the efforts of the State to control
 and destroy the trusts. might as well be abandoned. l can not concur in these views but on the contrary believe that every power reserved to the people of the States should be called Into exercise in preventing and overthrowing trust monoply in this country.
 The people of the United States smarting under the domna- ton of monopoly. have decreed It's overthrow. This sentiment Is not the
 mere outburst of temporary political en-
 thuSasm. but Is the outgrowth of years
 of growing oppression which has aroused
 the deepest apprehension of our most
 thoughtful and patriotic citizens, for the
 safety not only of our industrial deyel
 opment but of the very life of our institu
 tons This sentiment so justly aroused