The Forrest City times., 1907-09-06
Governor Issues Statement.

Acting Governor Pindall has issued statement that an extra session of the legislature Is not deemed neces- sary at this time. That in the con tinued disbursement of the common school and Confederate pension funds as heretofore. he anticiuates no SC rtous trouble. He points out that there Is no prescribed penalty for fail ure to adhere strictly to the directory provisions of the constitution cited by Attorney General Kirby relative to biennial appropriations for specific purposes, and declares that he would remit any such penalty so far as the school and pension fund distributions are concerned. Following is the pub lished statement
 Pindall's Statement.
 The newspapers throughout the State agttating the question of extra session of the legislature. There have been rumors cur rent since the adjournment of the regular session that the legislature would he called hhck for number of purposes, and since the recent opinion of the attorney general upon the state capitol question. the matter has receiyed more attention.
 II has been suggested in the press of the State that the situation is one concerning which the executive office should be heard from and believing that the people may be interested in my views concerning this ques- ton. l make the following statement
 The reasons assigned by those who assume to desire an extra session may be summed up follows;
 First. That since the rendition of the opn- ion of the attorney general the State capitol revenue Is tied up,
 Second. That this opinion inferentially ties up the common school fund.
 Third. That this opinion of the attorney general by inference ties up the Confederate pension fund.
 Fourth. That If the legislature was convened in extra session it could make appropriation for the salary of the regular govrrnor of Ar kansas in furtherance of its expressed will. that he shall receive his salary during his present disabilities.
 Thinks Kirby Right.
 l have carefully read and considered the opinion of the attorney general the State capitol question, and respectfully agree that he states correctly the constitutional provisions in regard to appropriations from the State treasury.
 situation has created condition making IL incumbent upon the State capitol commission to assume the initiative in regulating this matter. and until they have exhausted all of the means reasonably within their power. to remove the impeachment to their progress. 1t Is premature for this office to take action.
 The School Fund Concerning the school fund, l have conferred with the head of the educational department of our state. Prof. J. J. Doyne and while am not at liberty at this time to quote him, 1 am at liberty to say that my investigation has led to believe that there will not be that there need not be any serious trouble about this matter.
 Pension Fund.
 The pension fund Is possibly fin the same condition with the school fund. In regard the salary of the regular governor am convinced that the legislature meant what they said and that all the people everywhere
 
 stricken governor shall receive his salary, and in order to carry out their purposes, l shall draw further salary myself. but shall quest Paul Little to draw the governors salary each month and forward it to his mother.
 Will Borrow His Salary.
 For my salary, I shall borrow the money, and leave 1t with the next legislature to take what steps in the premises they may ft and proper. Further. l am of the opinion in relation to the school fund and the pension money. after making inquiry, and have become informed that 1t has never been necessary for the legislature to make specific appropriation In regard to these matters, and since Il has been the universal custom to regulate these matters without specific appropriation see no reason why these customs should not be followed this year.
 Further there Is s distinction between man datory and directory provisions Of law. and 1t is rule universally recognized that con stitutlonal provisions are directory applied to the executive department.
 Penalties He Would Remit
 Further, there ls no penalty by law TOT h failure to adhere strictly to these provisions of the constitution. cited by the attorney general, and even If there penalty, fin view of the fact that II Is incumbent upon officers 10 save to the state all that can be saved by preventing unnecessary expenses in carrying out the governmental functions ot their respective offices, | would have no hesi tancy, while acting governor, In remitting any penalty that might accrue by reason of the auditor or treasurer acting in this case, as all of their predecessors have acted In the pust.
 Fling at City Bankers
 was at first considering plan Of borrowing the money from the different banks throughout the state. and had particularly In mind the country banks and not the metro potan institutions. spoken for lately by representative of one of the citys banks.
 appreciate the conservatism displayed by Col. Pratt and Judge kayanHugh for their respective banks when these gentlemen re fraincd from discussing my plans before they had been advised of them However. as no communication had been addressed to any of the city banks the gratuitous criticism which was offered concerning my undlsclosed plan was indeed premature.
 State Will Not Forget.
 Tn answer to this criticism, however. fl might be well to remind of those who constantly urge that the states funds be taken from inc vaults and loaned to the banks comes with rather poor grace from those who voluntarily refuse to aid the state fin times of seeming cItremities and doubtless this fact will not be lost sight of by the peoples repre- sentatives when in the future attempts made to create so-ealled State Repositories. Tbese being my views, l feel like saying that at this time the talk of extra session of the legislature Is rather early in the season
 Very respectfully.