The Forrest City times., 1909-01-15

shall be approved by our Supreme Court | am advised that the defects can be easily remtdied It is certainly sound principal that tf the railroads are allowed to charge their patrons demurrage freight left in their over certain time after delivery al plac" of des tinatton. the railroads themselves ought to be liable te their patrons for the non delivery of all freight within reasonable time after de livery to them. recommend. therefcre. that you enact suitable Legislation this matter that sha be free from constitutional defects l so that the citizens of the State may receive justice from The railroad.
 ENLARGEMENT OF POWERS OF RAILROAD
 COMMISSION
 l In accordance with the recommendation Of 1 the last Democratic Convention held in June suggest that you pass law increasing the i power of the railroad commission SD that in ad- ditlon 10 the better regulation and control of the tranSpurta lou of freight and passengers the road bed. bridges. equipment depots and all other matters pertaining to or in connection | with railroads may be regulated and controlled | by the commission without the necessity of special Legislation and delay in time.
 TO MUCH WORK ON STATE OFFICIALS
 The Governor here suggests that too much work Is imposed the State officials. deelaf | ing that there should be sevcnty-iive men to handle business of three and half million dollars instead of thirty-hve nt present.
 CONNECTS AND GOOD ROADS
 After deploring the lease system the Cover nor recommends law forever abelishng the lease system under any form. except directly l thereof. | the duly appointed agents
 1 recommend that you put one-third of the able bodied convicts and all of the cripples on the State farm. Let them produce cotton. | corn and other farm products and raise cattle | and hogs sufficient to support themselves and the remainder of the convicts while building roads for the State. Then provide for coun- ties to utilize the canvlcts in building roads and when making application for same to work within their territory. to receive not less than l nfteen nor over fifty according to conditions. That In layin gout such road district donations may be received from the citizens adjacent | thereto for maintenance of conYicts or other 1 expenses.
 Then abolish the present penitentiary board ana hllow the Governor to appoint peniten- tiary board of managers. consisting of three members. whose salaries will be nomore than | under the present system. Make the tenure l or office Of first long and short terms consist | ing or TWO, four and six years. all subsequent 1 appointments 10 be made for six years Abol- ish the office of the Superintendent of the | Penitentiary
 Let the member holding the long term be the chairman. The next member selected for the i purpose and to serve six years to be made the Secretary. and the next member whose term shall be four years. be made the warden whose duty 1t shall be. with the advice and consent Of the other two members. to select and au- point his assistants. Make an appropria- ton W hieh in your judgment after in- Festigation. will be sufficient for equipment of camps or other necessary expenditures for the putting in operation and maintenance of the system Pass this bill in the early part of the session.
 suggest that You make the Penitentiary 1 Commission the Good Roads Commission and make an appropriation of $fo.030.oa for two years maintenance of Highway Chief En- sineer at Sl, Soo.o0 per annum and two assist ants each at S9o0.00 per annum; and the maining s2Soo0o to apply for transportation and ether legitimate expenses of the Engineers office.
 TAX COMMISSION.
 Aftef discussing the principle and purposes Of taxation the Governor observes some confu- sion and abuses III our present revenue system and recommends the creation of state Tax Commission consisting of three members te be appointed by the Governor whose duty if shall be to take charge Of the entire revenue system of the State, supervise the administration of assessments and taxing 1aNs. Instruct and over see the work of local assessors. direct proceed ings, actions and prosecutions to be instituted enforce the laws relative to the liability and punishment of public officials. corpora tions and others for failure to comply with the laws. in- 'ludlhg local hssessors or agents of corpora tons, remove such officials for neglect of duty require town. county and other public officers to report information as to the assessment or property investigate tax laws In other states in regard to the assessment and collection of taxes suggest legislation to the Legisla tnre, to prevent evasiOns of assessment and taxation. and otherwise secure just and equal taxation and improvement fin the revenue system of th1s State. The Governor asks for appropria tion sufficient to pay the salaries and clerk hire Of said commission together with travelling penses in visiting different towns and localities He asserts that such commission will not only pay for itself but will find and put on the tax book property escaping taxation from which low rate of taxation would pay fourth the expenses of the state government and greatly reduce the taxation to each individ ual citizen.
 BANKING LAW.
 The Governor discusses the need of better law for the government and regulation of banks rec l. vii and uphuild the banking interests of the State and protect at the same tiuie those whose place their deposits In the bank. He asks that the office of State Bank Examiner be created whose duty it shall be to employ assistants sufficient To adequately perform the service o7 Investigating, directing, taking charge of when necessary, and in every other maDner con trolling the entire banking business of the state, That for the carrying out this system of regulation for tht State banks there shall be levied tax each and every bank according to its average annual deposits for the proceed ing year doing business under the laws of tho state and that the law to be enacted should provide penalties against excessive loans to any persons or corporations for reports under oetn by banks to the State Examiner and the banks condition with penalties for false state m"nts; and as additional protection all stockholders should be liable to the dcpositoys and creditors to an amount equal to their stockholdings fin addition to the stock sub- Scrlbed by the stockholders
 OLD STATE CAPITOL.
  Capitol and recommends its preservation under the direction of the State Historical Assoeia- tiOn
 ELEMosYNARY INSTITUTION.
 Suggestions made concerning the over crowded condition of the Insane Asylum ana recommending new hospital to accommodate 25D patients.
 CONFEDERATE VETERANS
 The Governor pays tribute to the Confed- crate veterans and declares that the Confeder- ate pension roll should be d Toll of honor and the of every Confederate soldier citizen of the state should be honured. The Governor calls attention to remedies that necessary ill the distribution of funds secured by taxu. ton for the of these veterans declaring that the rate of taxation produces enough money for the necessary relief of all bu, that too many get on the pension roll who are am ply able 10 live without 1t. that applicant draw pensions who served fin the Co. federate army and that others often bpcomt well-to-do after they get on the rolls and con time to draw support from this fund He recommends liberal appropriation for tn. maintenance of the Soldiers Home.
 ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.
 The constitution of this State in express Ian guage imposes upon the Governor the duty to that the laws are faithfully executed promise you that l shnl faithfully observe fbl {ttf,a pFgta ,f