The Forrest City times., 1907-01-18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF HON. JOHN 6. LITTLE, AN ABLE AND INTERESTING DOCUMENT TAXES OATH OF OFFICE
 AS GOVERNOR OF
 ARKANSAS.
POLICY OF NEW ADMINISTRATION ON NEEDED LEGISLATION AND APPRoPRI-
 ATIoNS OUTLINED.
MT President. Mir Speaker, Senators and
 

Mir President. Mir Speaker, Senators and Representatives
 would not be worthy of the high office .he duties of which I am about to assume, f were not deeply affected by the con- fidence the people have reposed in me. A just conception of the extent and import ance of its duties, with the faithful dis charge of which the people are so closely connected. warns me of my own weakness and leads me to crave in advance the faith ful assistance of you gentlemen. who have been called to legislate for the present and future interests of our State and to indulge the hope that nothing may occur to mar the harmony of your proceedings, to bring dishonor upon your respective bodies your State. l desire now to pledge you that you shall have my earnest CO., operation in every effort to maintain the honor of the high station to which you have been called by a citizenship entitled to the most loyal and faithful service. 1t Is no reflection upon the good name of your membership to call your attention to the importance of this matter By the very nature of your organization and duties. the reputation of the whole body will be more or less affected by the dishonest or disreputable conduct of any of its members hence 1t Is essential that each member should see to it not only that dshonor shall not attach to him but that the good name of his fellows should be maintained; and If any by their wanton conduct prove unworthy to sit with honorable Senators and Representatives. they ought to be dealt with by their respective houses.
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
 Many questions of interest to the State demand your attention. but none is more important than educational interests. At our recent election the people of the showed for popular education by the adoption by an overwhelming majority of an amendment to our constitution authorizing an increase In the tax levy for educational purposes. thus laying broader foundation for the support of our schools and the education of the children of our State.
 STATE UNIFORMITY OF TEXT BOOKS.
 One of the needed reforms of our school system Is State uniformity of text books This will not only prove a great financial saving to people, but will put stop to the often needless and expensive chang ing of books, and prevent consciousless speculation upon the people book pur- chased for use in one school district ought 10 be good In any other district in the State Provision should also be made for supplying books free of cost to the dependent poor, who are unable to buy them. that the doors of our schools may not be closed against any of our child ren sss
 HIGH SCHOOLS
 There is growing and pressing need for high schools for the school population outside of our cities and towns. that are already accommodated. Steps should be taken looking to the establishment of these schools. We may not be able now to provide for complete system, but a start should be made and continued until the of given the benefits of high school training. The strengthening of school districts by consolidation. and the authorizing of the establishment of high school training in connection with districts thus strengthened and enlarged, under proper limitations and regulations would go a long way toward solving the problem without overburdening the educational revenues Agriculture and Horticulture should be part of the course of study In these schools -
 TEXTILE SCHOOL.
 The time is now here when we should prepare for the manufacture of our cotton products. l earnestly recommend the establishment of textile school and that provision be made not only for the techpl- cal training but its practical applications. IL should be In effect modern factory, where the practical and actual work can De done. mad should embrace the manufac- ture of all textile fabrics composed in whole or in part, of cotton from the raw material to the highest finished product.
 THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
 It is a matter of congratulation that this Institution Is taking it's place with the greatest educational institutions of the South. And the valuable work 1t is doing for the people of the State can not be oyerestimated It is enjoying the largest attendance in its history The harvest nd ,tsrH,t ht- our sons and daughters to strive for higher education. l would not disparage the great work being done by the colleges and acad. enies in the State under the supervision of our churches and private individuals There is more room and the demand Is Increasing, and crave the richest blessings upon their efforts and good work The University is our only State institution of It's class, and 1t ought to receive the lib eral support of the State. Not only its present but it's immediate future needs should be anticipated
 RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
 The subject of transportation charges by railroads both of freight and pas senger rates and their regulation will b. before you for consideration. The rail read companies when they fail to do SO should be required to charge no more or higher rate than is fair and reasonable, and equal facilities should be afforded to all shippers without favoritism or dis elimination. If the powers of the rail road commission need enarging and stfengtheniDg to enable them to compel the bservanee of these just and fair regula tons you ought to confer 1t upon them by proper legislation.
 EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
 The State government owes to her labor Ing people, employed in dangerous voca- tons to pass all proper and needfu laws to secure them the best possible protection against loss of health and life: to se cure 10 them or their families. in cases of death. the right to recover damages. and proper compensation for all injuries re- ceiyed, while in the discharge Of their duties. such injuries not the result or their own negligence, but received as the re suit of the negligence of their employers es fellow servants. -