The Mena weekly star., 1909-02-11
NEW CAPITOL HAS
 CENTER OF STAGE
It Is Thought It Will Figure Largely in the Business of the Legis- lature During the
 Ccming Week.

week. At the beginning of each week since the legislature cou. veued similar prophecy has been made, but legislators in a position to know declared tonight that there was no doubt that both branches of the assembly will take up the matter this week and that the fighting stage would be reach ed before the week ends. The governor and legislators in gen. eral are urging speed in the dis position of the matter on account of the need of immediate work on the new capitol and the cry of the people asking that the struc- ture be completed as soon as pos sible. For .hese reasous it is the intention of as many legislators as have been heard on the matter to settle it as quickly as possible.
 Capitol Committees to Meet.
 Although no definite announce ment has been made, 1t was learn- ed last night from reliable sources that the house and senate state capitol committees would meet Monday and Tuesday mig ghts, the senate committee meeting Mon day night and the house commit tee the following night, for the purpose of considering the state capitol bill now pending before both branches. and that, follow ing the consideration, both com mittees would refer the bills back 10 the two branches. "We will let them fight II out on the floor of the senate and house, remark ed committeeman last mig ht. Whether committee recommenda- tions will be made is only a mat. ter of conjecture, but 1t is believ- ed by some that neither commit tee will make favorable or unfav- orable recommendations, simply turning the entire matter over to the main bodies to be thrashed out.
 'Much time is consumed by a committee which attempts to in- vostigate and probe such a matter to the very bottom," stated leg islator last night, "and after all, In such a matter as this, both bodies go into the entire matter again anyhow, so for that reason It IS nrged by some that the com mittee simply turn the whole thing back to the two bodies and let the latter fight it out"
 Governor May Spring New Sensation.
 Neither the Donaghey or Cald- well & Drake forces are saying much conceruiug the situation. It was rumored yesterday that the governor had further matter which he would probably spring on the legislature in case the r,- port Of Major Sewell does not have sufficient weight. Accord ing 10 the rumor, the "matter" referred to is along the same line as the Sewe,l report. What will be said in rebuttal by the other side of tbe controversy is no. even rumored.
 Other Work During Coming Week
 The coming week IS expected to develop about hundred new bills in the house. Thus far the senate has the lead over the house in the matter of introduc- tion of bills, l54 bills having been introduced in the senate 10 l3l in the house. The compara. tive few bills in the house is at. tributed to the irregularity with which bills were introduced and considered until the last part of the last week, when new rules of procedure were adopted and every member was given the same chance to introduce or call up bill. Under the new rule oi procedure all measures are in- troduced and considered by roll call, which is perpetual. Before there were many members of the house with several bills in their possession, ready to be introduced who did not push themselves for ward Tn the fight to secure sus pension of the rules aud as a re- suit kept their bill while the house went on considering on second and third readings.
 Last Week in the House.
 The fight over the Ballamy four agricultural sctool bill, the reading of the communication from Attorney Norwood to the fleet that the Caldwell & Drake bond is valid, the report of Mai. Sewell on tue state capitol and the fight over the amendments 10 the initiative and referendum were the most importent events in the house last week. The Bellamy bill was passed after