The Carlisle independent., 1907-03-14
LEGISLATIVE ~ni 4

chasing owning or acquiring property in this state. Senator Mcknight admitted that his bill as originally drawn was too dras- tic, and that 1t would require some amend ments before 1t would even meet the con tingencies aimed at ''I merely wanted to propose a law that would keep the corpo- ration land grabbers from coming into the state and capturing all our lands, sad Senator Mcknight. Tn my county the sit uation is an extreme one, and if leglsla- tton had been enacted many years ago on this line, modest country homes would now be constructed on hundreds of acres of valuable land that are owned by Tor were ol iginally 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 at a reasonable price. l admit that 1t Is rather late now to enact a law to keep l the land-grabbng CorDorations out. but l it may save the situation in other counties. 1 The bill should be amended so IS not to | woIk any hardship on any person deslr- ing to make home here, and then passed. | Mir. McCollum made strong speech In the House Friday in opposition to the Mont, gomery bill providing for jury trials and 1 for change of venue In cities of second class and towns He declared that is is in no wise antagnostc to the people of the country. favoring the towns, but that the 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 violat- | 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 acquittal might result. He thought to pass this bill would result in prac- 1 tically aboishing mayors courts in this State.
 Senator John Holland of Sebastian coun- ty. one of the most aggressive members of the Upper Legislative body. introduced a bill in the Senate Monday which amends the election laws materially. The law as proposed will prohibit any saloon proprie- 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. ti0n of license or no license is an issue Tn the election. It is stated that in several have been named as clerks and judges and 1 have been a factor to be overcome by the people opposed to the sale of liquor
 An important meeting of tho Ge1~te Committee on Railroads was held Friday afternoon. which resulted in recon will be held mp pending further investi- 1 gation. The Goodwin bill which requires freight engines to have headlights which will throw a light so rods in advance was amended as to require headlights to be placed on all engines of a lighting strength of at least 1.500 candlepower
 A bill requiring settlements for loss or damage to express freight within three days was amended as to give ten days for such settlement of claim.
 The joint committee on banking of the l General Assembly heard a committee of the Arkansas Bankers Association Thursday night relative to bill providing for state banking law that has been drafted by committee of the association. The committee of bankers was composed O Thomas C. McRae of Prescott, George I. George W. Rogers and sam W Reyburn of i Little Rock. It was stated by one or the bankers that they desire law that would prevent a man with a sign, safe ard a set of books" from opening up bank in the state.
 The Senate Committee on Judiciary yes l terday afternoon decided to return the Rec tor-Edmondson bill demanding the abroga- tion of the Arkansas Brick and Manufactur> ing Company contract with the recom- 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 handed 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. H. Lenow. Dan w. Jones and Jonathan Kel logg of Little Rock, and Father J. NJ. Lucey | appointments was received with applause in the Senate.
 Failing in motion for a suspension of the rules for the purpose of calling up bill Thursday. Representative shannon | Of Benton county said 1t was evident that l 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 tended resigning, he replied that he would do so II the members would accept his | resignation.
 The Senate Committee on Education held a meeting Monday afternoon and took up 1 the Mcknight bill which seeks to leave the matter of apportioning tke school taxes with a school supervisor, making it possi- be for 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 l House but 39 members voted the first time during the session that quorum had failed to be present, and it was some time before 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 l Oldham bill would be a special order for l 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 ot floor space was pressed into service by the l anxious attendants.
 The Senate Committee on Mines has de | cided 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 hearing had been given both miners and