The Green Forest tribune., 1909-01-22

 be made applicable no special law shall be enacted
 This section of the Constitution is frequently violated by the passage of special acts. ana in rningling with the people I have heard more complaint because of it than from almost any other work of the Legislature. In my opln- ion such acts seldom necessary. and urge upon this honorable body an observance or thls constitutional provision.
 LAWS FOR PROTECTION OF LABOR.
 Tbe proper safeguard should be thrown around the laborer when engaged in the duties of his daily life. You should examine care fully as to the safety given him in factories mines quarrles and railroads; and make laws sufficient in all respects.
 suggest also that. If you have the con sttutional authority you amend our antitrust laws so there be doubt as to their ex- emption of Farmers Unions and other labor organizations from the penalties prescribed therein.
 I am informed that among coal miners and other labor organizations of this State. there is frequently collected by employers certain fees for various alleged purposes. suggest. in order to correct this evil, that you pass law preventing the collection of fees for any puf- pose where the party paying the bills cannot be represented in the disbursement of the money after it has been collected
 TEMPERANCE LAWS.
 In the matter of laws for the regulation Of the liquor traffic there are two contending prop ostions-local option, have it, and Statewide prohibitions and on these issues our
 
 members fresh from the people, together with many of the leaders of the temperance cause in the State, adopted resolution providing that the will of the people on this question be ascrrtained by taking vote during the yea 19O9 and that when their will be ascertained that it be carried into effect. l recommend that you carry out this expression of the peo- ple's will this question.
 ITEMIZED CAMPAIGN EXPENSES.
 You should give the matter of expenditures in political contests most careful considera- tion and pass such laws as, in your judgment will place all candidates upon equal footing with respect to campaign expenses
 l suggest that you require the publication of itemiZed statement of all expenses of all candidates and party committees in all pri- mary, special and general elections in this State.
 VETERINARY LAWS,
 The Governor calls attention to the presence and practice of fake veterinary doctors and recommends suitable law. similar to that of Missouri. covering such ofenses.
 JUDICIARY.
 The message pays tribute to the Supreme Court of the State and commends the last Legislature for increasing the salary of it's members to the constitutional limit of S4000. This salary raise, however. is not effective until the expiration of their respective terms and the work has increased that the Cover recommends appropriation for two more stenographers to relieve them of much of their present drudgery. He also recommends that salaries of Circuit Judges and Chancellors be increased to S30O0 per annum
 TREASURER'S AND AUDITORS SALARY.
 Since the State Treasurer is paid less in Ar kansas than in any other state according to the amount of work, responsibility. etc. as well as the fact that the office requires man who can give bond in the sum of $600,0oo. the Governor recommends increase in his salary to the constitutional limit of s3,o0o.
 The same increase is also recommended fer the State Auditor. The duties of this office are constantly increasing and while others have enjoyed salary raises, the State Auditor has been given one. The Governor says the State demands good men and must pay for them
 ELECTIONS
 It is impossible to have high form of self government unless the ballot is sacredly pro- tected Every qualified eector should have the right to east his vote without interference or intimidation, and to have it counted as cast: and believing that absolute fairness requires the party in power to hold itself aloof from even suspicion of taking illegal or unfair ad- vantage of any weaker party. revision of both the primary and general election laws should be had so that 1t will be impossible for any party interest to influence the eleetor i'm properly or take illegal unfair advantage of him in casting or counting the ballot or certify ing the returns. I am a Democrat, and eI- pect to remain so long as l live, but il is my desire for my party to manage the affairs Of this State so as to maintain the principles of honor and integrity for which We stand Hon. or and honesty should not be placed second to rarty interest.
 INITIATIVE AND REF ERENDUM.
 recommend that you submit to the people a constitutional amendment providing for the Initiative and Referendum. l regard such step a most just protection for Democratic consti- tuency. The sovereign people should have the rirtt to demand any law they want through the Initiative and annul any act by use Of the Referendum: and the servants of the people should never be backward in granting them the privilege tp exercise this prerogatiye.
 FREE PASSES.
 
 In my opinion, the free pass has cost the State of Arkansas more in material prosperity than all the so-called corporation oppression that has eyei been ever will be administered to public service corporations in the State.
 I earne, tly recommend that you pass such q law will forever abolish this evil; d law which will effectively prevent free transporta- ton for any purpose except for such Is perfectly legitimate, and defining the i:, the bill
 STATE CAPITOL.
 The Governor consumes four thousand words in thorough discussion of the history, pro- giess and present c,mdItiou of the S,ato .api- tol contract. He goes eyhaustively into 1e- tails and undertakes 70 show why the enter prise has become involved in dispute. He says the New state Capitol Is the greatest work of architecture undertaken in the history of Arkansas and that in its class matter of fact it ia the only structure that has been un- dertaken. After recit!ng in detail the progress of the construction in which his big stick falls heavily upon the head of the contractors, Caldwell x Drake, the commissioners in charge of the work and the architect. he says
 So far I have only pointed out matters which will be most tangible in directing your at tcntiou to the subject Gad cause you to go into mare e:.te:.aed investis ltion of the de- tails of the varied and hidden factors In con. nection with the subject; so I will proceed to discuss what action in my Judgment you should take to insure speedy completion of the work which has been long delayed and at thi7 time is much needed.
 1st. Because of the exceedingly lcng period in the progress of the build..- which existed between the time it was contracted to Clld- well X Drake, August. 1903. and the time upon which work suspended in July, 1907. without approaching to the extent of onehelf completing it. when under the contract 1t was to be completed by December 21. 1905. and
 2nd. Because of the construction being in every manner inferior and not in accordance with that of buildings of similar character and purpose evidenced by every investigation that has been made of it. and.
 3rd. Because it can be shown that in sub stantially all transactions had in connection with the building since it's commencement un- der the present contract 1t has been violated in both letter and spirit. and,
 4th. Because the State has new a<clarge amount of money invested in the building. and judging by the past promises of the con tractors, it cannot depend upon their completing it In reasonable time. together with the great necessity for the building at the present time.
 For these and other reasons l suggest that one of the first things you do Is. by concur rent resolution to declare the contract of Caldwell & Drake annuled.
 And then because of the bad business man agement and inattention to the best interests of the State. ard the excessive payments made to the contractors, that the Commissioners now in charge of the work be discharged.
 Also because of the abandonment of tht. plans by which the contract let and fur nishing none suitable for the work where the strength of the building Is most important. to- wit; that of the floor construction, the weak ness of the columns. the weakness of the attic floor, together with many other defects of construction. and because of lack of attention to the work generally while he was being paid q fee of $5D,000o0 to attend to these matters, that the architect be discharged from fbo rvfn of tha fute