Woodruff County news. [volume] (McCrory, Ark.) 1901-1910, 1907-09-05
Governor issues Statement.


a 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
rious 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.
Pindalrs Statement.
The newspapers throughout the State are
agitating 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 be called
back for a number of purposes, and since the
recent opinion of the attorney general upon
the state capitol question: the matter has
received more attention.
, 1t has been suggested in the press of the
State that the situation is one concerning
which the executive Office should be heard
interested in my views concerning this ques-
tion, 1 make the following statement;
The assigned by those who assume
to desire an extra session may be summed up
as follows:
First. That since the rendition of the opin-
ion of the attorney general the State capitol
revenue is tied up
Second That this opinion theoretically 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 convened
in extra session 1t could make an appropriation
for the salary of the regular governor 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 ana considered the
opinion of the attorney general on the State
capitol question, and respectfully agree that
he states correctly the constitutional provisions
in regard to appropriations from the State
treasury.
This opinion as applied to the State capitol
situation has created a condition making it
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. have conferred
with the head of the educational department
of our state Prof. J. ]. Doyne, and while l
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 in the same
condition with the school fund. In regard to
the salary Of the regular governor. | am
convinced that the legislature meant what they
said. and that all the people everywhere en-
dorsed their action in declaring that our
stricken governor shall receive his salary. and
in orfnr m |
draw no further salary myself, but shall re-
quest Paul Little to draw the governor $ salary
each month and forward 1t to his mother.
Will Borrow His Salary.
For my salary, l shall borrow the money,
and leave 1t with the next legislature to take
what steps in the premises they may see fit
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 it has never been necessary for
the legislature to make specific appropriation
in regard to these matters, and since it has
been the universal custom to regulate these
matters without n specific appropriation see
no why these customs should not be
followed this year.
Further. there is distinction between man
datory and directory provisions of law, and
it is rule universally recognized that con-
stitutional provisions are directory as applied
to the executive department.
Penalties He Would Remit.
Further, there is no penalty by law for
failure to adhere strictly to these provisions
of the constitution, as cited by the attorney
general. and even II there was penalty, In
view OF the fact that 1t is incumbent upon
our officers to save to the state all that can
be saved by preventing unnecessary expenses
in carrying out the governmental functions of
their respective offices, l would have no hest
fancy while acting as governor, in RENTING
any penalty that might accrue by reason or
the auditor or treasurer acting in this case.
as all of their predecessors have acted in the
past
Fling at City Bankers
l was at first considering some plan of
borrowing the money from the different banks
throughout the State, and had particularly in
mind the country banks and not the metro
politan institutions, spoken for lately by
representative Of OF the city's banks.
/ appreciate the conservatism displayed by
Col. Pratt and Judge Kavanaugh for their
respective banks. when these gentlemen re-
Trained 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 undsclosed plan
was indeed premature.
State Will Not Forget.
In answer to this criticism however, 1t
might be we'll to remind some OF those who
constantly urge that the states funds he taken
from the vaults and loaned to the banks,
comes with rather poor grace from those who
voluntarily refuse to aid the state In times
of seeming extremites, and doubtless this fact
will not be lost sight of by the peoples repre-
sentatives when in the future attempts are
made to create so-called State repositories.
These 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,