Washington telegraph., 1909-04-02
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS.

Inc JOINT resolution introduced IN
the House by Mr.. Granger Of Carroll,
providing for an amendment to the
constitution which, in turn, provides
for statutory statewide prohibition, it
is declared, is a submission measure
on which the question of constitution
ality of procedure cannot be raised.
1t has been argued by some that it
would be Illegal to submit the ques-
tion of statewide prohibition to a
vote of the people and that such ae-
tion could not be taken under the pro-
visions of the constitution. The reso-
luton introduced by Mr.. Granger
would have to be voted upon first by
the people and would in itself provide
for an amendment to the constitution.
The bill introduced in the House
by Messrs. Winn and Spillers provides
Tor the establishing and maintenance
OF one or more sanatoria or colonies
in Arkansas for the care and treat
ment of INDECENT persons suffering
IRON tuberculosis, cancer and other
ineurable diseases and making an ap-
preparation therefor" The appropria-
ton is $4,000.
The bill first calls attention to tu-
bercuiosis and other incurable diseases
and also to the organization of the
Department of Health in Arkansas.
The bill then provides that "one or
more sanatoria or colonies be estab-
lchp6 In fa, hn rooontinn
and treatment of INDECENT persons af-
fected with ineipient tuberculosis, and
those SO far advanced with the same
disease and other incurable diseases
that may be made comfortable and re-
moved from their families and the peo-
pie at large to prevent the spread of
contagion"
Some of the friends of the original
Gam bill have raised the question that
the legislature has no authority under
the constitution to submit bill to
the people. The claim is made the
legislature would be delegating legis-
lative power and that the constitution
does not SO provide. Lawyers of rec
S5AAtNNd obiilAg III lAt iN6ioihtuiN y ouJ
they do not believe the point is well
taken.
Following the request of those inter-
ested in zinc mines in north Arkansas,
concurrent resolution will soon be
prepared and passed by the Arkansas
General Assembly, asking Congress to
place tariff on zinc. Those interest
ed in the zinc mines claim the future
of the industry in the state is wholly
dependent upon the tariff.
Mr. Holt of Hampstead has given no.
tice that he would move to reconsider
the vote by which the House joint
resolution providing for the creation
of the office of lieutenant governor
was defeated. This measure was de-
feated by close vote, and it is be-
lieved it has a chance of passage on
reconsideration.
Senator Bush, in speaking about the
passage of the Bellamy bill, said that
he believes agricultural schools will
be the means OF drawing the youth
"closer to the heart of nature" The
senator has taught school in Arkansas
for many years He says that he
has observed that some very simple
questions about plant life cannot be
answered even by men who have spent
their life in cultivating the soil. He
thinks TIE study of the why's and
wherefores in plant life will attract
persons TO farm life.
"One thing is certain said the
senator, "the youth OF our state must
be taught to cultivate the soil intense
ly. Every acre must be made to pro-
duce its full capacity and means used
10 keep that acre always productive.
The joint committee on the State
Normal School returned well pleased
from Conway, where the Normal
School was Investigated. The commit
tee has prepared very favorable re-
port on the condition of that institu-
tion and recommends liberal appro-
priationr for its maintenance. The re-
port states that the school now has
membership OF 1856, that "the spirit is
excellent, and compliments the school
in the highest terms
Speaker Brown has called attention
zion to the rule prohibiting smoking on
The floor of the House and ordered
the janitor to install chairs in the
cloak room for those who desired to
smoke while the House was in ses-
sion. The chairs were installed and
within half hour the cloak room
was fairly we'll filled with members
enjoying short puff or two. The
cloak room is now the regularly or
dained smoking apartment OF repre-
sentatives during business hours,
Many members objected to smoking