The log cabin Democrat., 1907-03-14
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

| his bill as originally drawn was too dras-
 tic, and that it would require some amend | ments before 1t would even meet the con l tingencies aimed at. 'l merely wanted 10 1 propose a law that would keep the corpo- | ration land grabbers from coming into the | state and capturing all our lands, sald | Senator Mcknight. "In my county the sit | uation is an extreme one and If leglsla- tion had been enacted many years ago on this line, modest country homes would now be constructed on hundreds or acres of valuable land that are owned by Tor eign capitalists for no purpose. The lands were oI Iiginally purchased for the timber When the timber is removed there Is no disposition of the land. The foreign cor poration holds it for high prices, and the farme' cannot come In and buy nome at a reasonable price. l admit that 1t IS the land-grabbing corDorations out. but 1t may save the situation in other counties The bill should be amended so as not to work any hardship on any person desir. ing to make home here, and then passed"
 MT. McColum made a strong speech In the House Friday in opposition to the Mont gomery bill providing for jury trials and for change of venue in cities of second class and towns. He declared that is Is Tn no wise antagnostic to the people of the country, favoring the towns, but that the proposition to grant change of venue Is one which will work much harm to all concerned He pointed to the fact that in many instances young boys from the country are arrested in the towns for violar- ing some law, and when tried before the mayor they are fined in keeping with the offense With the right of jury trial they should be sent to another section of the country, and an acquittal might result. He thought to pass this bill would result In prac- tically abolishing mayors courts In this State.
 Senator John Holland of Sebastian coun- ty. one of the most aggressive members of the Upper Legislative body, introduced bill In the Senate Monday which amends the election laws materially. The law as proposed will prohibit any saloon proprle- tor operator or employe or any person directly interested in the sale of intoxi- | cants from serving as judge or clerk In any election held In the state wherein the ques- | tion of license or no license IS an issue m | the election. It Is stated that in several of the counties of the state saloon men | have been named as clerks and judges, and | have been a factor to be overcome by the people opposed to the sale Of liquor.
 An important meeting of the Senate Committee on Railroads was held Friday afternoon, which resulted in recon, mendations on two measures, and a third will be held up pending further investi- gaton The Goodwin bill, which requires freight engines to have headlights which
 so amended as to require headlights to be placed on all engines of lighting strength of at least 1,5OO candlepower.
 l A bill requiring settlements for loss or damage to express or ITelSuI WlluiH LII ec
 days was so amended as to give ten days | for such settlement of claim.
 The joint committee on banking of the | General Assembly heard a committee or the | Arkansas Bankers Association Thursday night relative to a bill providing for a state banking law that has been drafted rte a | by committee of the association. The
 co committed of bankers was composed Q 9f Sparks of Fort Smith and c. T. Walker. | (rpOrpa w RnpprS and w RpVburn Of
 Little Rock. It was stated by one Of the
 bankers that they desire law that would
 set of books from openns up bank | in the state.
 The Senate Committee on Judiciary yes
 terday afternoon decided to return the Rec tor r-Edmondson bill demanding the abroga-
 tion of the Arkansas Brick and Manufactur>
 mendation that it do not pass. Six mem
 bers of the committee were present when
 the vote was taken, and there was but one dissenting voice to the vote. The bill de manded that the convict contract be abro- gated, and that the convicts be turned over to the state penitentiary warden.
 Acting Governor Moore sent a message to the Senate Thursday announcing the fol
 lowing appointments as members of the home J. M. Keller of Hot Springs, J. a. Lenow. Dan W. Jones and Jonathan Kel-
 logg of Little Rock, and Father J. M. Lucey | Ok DUH, The announcement or Lue appointments was received with applause | in the Senate.
 Failing in a motion for a suspension | of the rules for the purpose of calling up a bill Thursday, Representative shannon of Benton county said it was evident that some other person could represent his coun- ty better than he and stated that he thought | he should resign. When asked later If he in l tended resignng, he replied that he would do so if the members would accept his resignation.
 The Senate Committee on Education held a meeting Monday afternoon and took up | the Mcknight bill, which seeks to leave the
 with a school supervisor, making it possi-
 ble for a segregation of the taxes as be-
 tween the races in the distribution for educational purposes. The committee re- port will be that the bill do not pass. | On roll call on the passage of a bill | during the morning session Tuesday in the | House but 30 members voted, the first time during the session that quorum had failed to be present. and it was some time before a quorum was secured. Many Of the | members were in the Senate chamber at
 the time listening to the aguments on the | sixty-day extension resolution.
 The announcement in the press that the
 Wednesday was sufficient to attract a throng. Before the Senate was called to order at the morning session the galleries were crowded. Chairs were brought Into the chamber and every available inch of floor space was pressed into service by the anxious attendants.
 The Senate Committee on Mines has de- l clded to return the Lee bill to the Senate without committee recommendation. This Is the bill that repeals the present law in regard to the screening of coal, and after a hearing had been given both miners and operators last week, the committee was un-
 decided as to what to report in the prem ises.
 A resolution by MT. Killough urging the attorney general, auditor and other of fcers whose duty 1t Is to enforce the anti, trust law to see that 1t Is rigidly' enforced and declaring 1t the sense of the House that reinsurance Is a violation of the law and should not be permitted, was adopted in the House Thursday.
 The House Committee on Judiciary after considering Senate Bill No. SS (Harrlson), providing for an increase of the salaries