Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1909-02-06
REFERENDUM bILL
 AMENDED In ROUSE
Provision Are Extended to the Cities Towns and Coun tiesMartn Doubts Wisdom of Whole Scheme but Will Support Measure Senator Elihu Root Invit ed to Little Rock-Senate Adjourns

Little Rock. Ark. Feb 5.--The l amendment instruments of the house | were used quite freely this morning | on Senator Arnold5 resolution pro- Vidlng for the submission of the ques- tion of the initiative and referendum Tn government practice 10 the voters of the state In the form Of q consti tUtional amendment.
 The committee or constitutional amendments reported favorably ou the bill, with the recommendation that it bo somewhat amended the first amendment providing that the prin ciple Of the initiative and referendum apply to cities and counties as we'll as the state; the second that the num- ber of petitioners necessary to init fate legislation or require it's refer ence back to the people be increased over that specified in the bill.
 The first amendment drew fire, and lots Of it. MT. DuI4aney spoke in favor of it's adoption as being a much needed safeguard for cities against vicious municEal legislation. Messrs. Leigh, Shafcr. Winl and others also spoke heartily in favor Of the amend lnent
 Mr. Parks and MT. Combs opposed it, holding that the statutes already provided for the initiative and refer endum in cities, but their opposition failed to defeat the amendment, which was passed by q good majority.
 The big stir was started, however, over the proposition tp increase the number of petitioners necessary to in itiate legislation and to have bad leg islation referred back to the people for correction. Messrs. Heartsill, Carl Lee and Shackelford were especially that it would tend to defeat the pur- pose of the constitutional amend meEt. Mir. Brown, of Cleveland, feared that too many restrictions on the senate bill might endanger it's chance of final passage.
 Messrs. BraWner. Hurst, Martin and others championed the amendment, declaring that if the number was left small the whole scheme would result i'll annoying petitions whore there is little occasion for complaint and would open up wide field for the ex- ercise of that very enterprising tal- ent known as politics. They espe- cially feared that the class of dis gruntled politicians incident to most localities would drag the state into useless expense and their communities into still more useless contests.
 With a frankness refreshing for it's absolute freedom from political play Mir. Martin. of Yell, declared that he was afraid of the whole scheme of the initiative and referendum, and that, while he would vote for 1t be- cause the people wanted it, he would not signify by that vote his approval of the policy itself.
 q believe" he declared, that the only form of government intended to be created by the founders of our gov ernment Is that of purely represen- tative government, and fear that this whole plan for initiative and referen- dun is an ill-advised moye."
 hn %o ;,, crease the number of petitioners re- quired, believing it to be the only safeguard that the new plan would have against petty annoyances by de- signing politicians.
 In addition to consideration of this measure, the house considered much senate business, and before taking a recess, on resolution from Mr. Leigh, of Pulaski, Hon. Elihu Root, formerly secretary of state and now senator elect from New York, who is spending few days at Hot Springs recuperat- ing his health, was invited to visit Little Rock and address the general assembly at whatever time and upon whatever subject he should choose. Messrs. Wilmington and Bouic, the Garland county representatives, were named as a committee to make the in- vitation to the distinguished gentle man personal.
 The senate held brief session this morning. clearing the calendar of all house business and special orders, af- ter which adjournment was taken.