The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-24
WANT FEDERAL AID
 TO KEEP LID ON
Sheriff's Association Asks States Congressman to Vote for Law Forbidding License in Dry"
 Territory.

met yeSteIudy III J uuSe w luuelu court room at the Pulaski county court house, and in addition tC selecting officers for 1909, passee drastic resolutions calling fol state and national legislation, particularly on the sale of liquor in prohibited territory and "pis. tol toting." The "peace trous CTS" resolution failed of adoption after serious discussion.
 A resolution was adopted re- ouesting the Arkansas represent- atives in the national Congress to work for legislation that will amend the internal revenue laws so that it will be unlawful for the United States government to grant liquor license for the sale of intoxicants in any territory that by a state enactment has become "dry territory" This resolution was presented by c. c. Kavanaugh, ex-sheriff of Pulaski county and retiring sec retary of the state association. The license to sell liquor at retail as issued by the national govern meut IS operating regardless ol state enactments.
 The association also went on record by a resolution as being in favor of the strict enforcement of the anti.cigarette, drunken ness at public gatherings and ou trains, blind tiger and concealed weapon laws. In connection with the concealed weapon act, a resolution adopted requesting the legislature to pass an act that will be practical.
 For the sake of being practical, the sheriffs recommend that a law be passed placing the burden of proof on the defendent 10 show that he did not carry pistol under the army and navy regulation size. Under the present law, courts have held that it is the duty of the state to prove what sort of a weapon on the defend- ant carried.
 At the suggestion of the sher- ifs association a law was passed by the last legislature making il a misdemeanor for person to be drunk on a tram or at public gathering. In this connection resolution was passed asking thai the law be strengthened by mak- ing it misdemeanor for train conductor to fail to report such an offense to a peace officer with in the county in which the offense may occur.
 In accordance with another resolution, the state penitentiary commissioners will be asked to work murder and assault convlcts with,i the penitentiary walls or on state property and not let them out to contractors to be placed on public works. It is asserted the latter method gives supposedly dangerous prisoner too many chances to escape.
 The sheriffs commended Acting Governor Pindall for his action in refusing to pardon persons con- victed of liquor violations and ot carrying concealed weapons and respectfully recommended the same course to George w. Dona- ghey, governor. elect.
 It was brought out that many of the jails of the state have in- sane persons confined in them and a resolution was adopted which was introduced by w. A. Coker of Drew county, recom- meudiug that the State Hospital E for Nervous Diseases be made E larger or a new one be built to E accommodate the insane wards ot the state now in the Jails.
 (. c. Kavanaugh introduced a resolution that failed of adoption, not because the sheriffs thought the resolution had no merit, but because they were afraid 1t would De classed as freak legislation.
 Iheresolution was dubbed "peacC rousers." It provided that the legislature should be urEed tc pass an act making It unlawful
 'oWear trousers with hip pockets
 The discussion brought on
 'oat the state has failed to make
 ohylctions against men charged
 9ith shooting because, as th'
 snentfs allege, perjured testimonI
 aaa been offered to show thu
 victim made a pass for his hiI
 pocket" The sheriffs wert
 egally advised that the bll
 would probably be unconstitution
 aii passed, as it would intefer
 Sllh a mans privilege of havinl
 s clothing made to suit him