The Harrison times., 1911-01-21


taxation throughout the state. Besides this,
the health in localities where the lands have
been leveed and drained has been greatly
improved. In many cases lands Of this
class, after development. have increased in
value more than 500 per cent. The recent
census shows the greatest increase in popu'
lation in our state where levees and drain
age districts have been formed and efficient
work done. This work has only fairly begun
in Arkansas There are yet millions OF acres
to be leveed and drained, which, when done,
will increase in value in the same proportion
as above noted l am heartily in favor of
a still more vigorous and effective policy IN
connection with this work. The lands yet
undrained are among our greatest assets,
and the sooner we drain them the more
wealth we will create for the state.
County convicts.
Again / wish to call your attention to the
abuses as well as misuse of our laws on
the county convict question. Some OF the
justices OF the peace of the state have so
far lost their sense Of justice and decency
that they have dvested themselves of any
semblance Of the judiciary, and have entered
into the slave traffic as strictly business
matter They do this without respect to
race, color or previous condition of seryl'
tude, and in spite of our present safeguards
of the rights Of our citizens. II is said
that it matters not who the victim may be-
just so he is unable to protect himself from
the pirate, enabled by favorable conditions
to seize and sell his services. 1t is also
said that many of this class of convicts
are made to serve a sentence of more than
year before the satisfaction OF fine OF
a few dollars may be had. Or, that after
once getting hold of them, the peonage sys-
tenn is successfully carried out. As
remedy for this illegal and inhuman system,
l suggest that you pass a law prohibiting
any convict, for any offense, serving over
six months Imprisonment on a county farm,
or any other compulsory servitude, over that
length Of time. outside Of the penitentiary,
II anyone commits an ofense grave enough
for him to be confined as a convict more
than six months. he should be sent TO the
penitentiary and not TO a county farm,
where it appears there is no one TO see
whether or not he is humanely treated.
Special Acts,
Article S. section "a. of the constitution,
provides "In all cases where general
law can be made applicable, no special law
shall be enacted This section of the con-
stitution has been so much abused by the
passage of special acts that I have heard
more complaints because of il than from
almost any other work of the legislature,
In fact. special legislation has been denomi'
mated 1.-THE bane of the Arkansas legisla'
turen
I recommend that for the purpose of say.
ing time as well as useless expense, thas
you appoint a joint committee for the pur.
pose of carefully examining every proposed
special act and that the committee recon-.
mend the defeat of any such bill not in
strict conformity with the spirit and re.
Quirement Of the constitution.
Laws for the Protection of Labor,
Those engaged in work in mines. quarries,
factories, on railroads and in other hazard.
Gus occupations should be safeguarded by
laws affording them the miXimum protection.
Provision should be made for the use of
every modern safety appliance in such work.
se....s
titled TO this legislation and you should see
that they get it, ! believe, also, that you
should enact a law whereby the assignment
by any wsge-earner in this state of his
wages to be earned in the future would be
made illegal
Employers Liability.
The best modern thought recognizes the
dignity Of labor. which may well be called
the cornerstone of industrial life. To pro-
tect and guard those engaged in hazardous
occupations against injury which by proper
appliances can be, If not wholly, at least
partially prevented, is a welArecognized
duty Of every employer without the inter.
vention Of law To provide for suitable
compensation TO those who, without any
fault Of their own, have lost their lives or
have been seriously injured by accidents,
which, by the exercise OF proper care, can
be prevented, has long been recognized by
the laws Of our state. Within the last de.
cade the General Assembly Of this state has
enacted many beneficial laws for working.
men engaged in hazardous occupationS 10
recover compensation for injuries sustained,
for which at common law there could be no
recovery. The abolition OF the fellow-serv.
ants rule has been a step in the right direc.
ton But am Of the opinion that the time
has arrived 10 take another forward step
and provide by legislation for compulsory
compensation for Industrial accidents, re.
gardless Of the rules OF the common law
known as assumption Of risks and conlribu'
tory negligence, Fer the latter I would rec.
commend 60 your honorable body the enact.
ment Of law based on what is known as
comparative negligence and in addition TO
these would recommend TO your favorable
consideration a compulsory compensation
law, providing in all cases Of injury to an
wilful act, compensation based on his earn.
ings. II the injury results in death, sum
equal TO the earnings Of a certain number
Of years should be paid 10 the family Of
the deceased dependent upon him for sup.
port and similar proviso should be made
for him in case OF permanent or temporary
disabilities. At present the burden is placed
entirely on the shoulders Of the working.
men, those least able to bear IL.
Temperance.
A vital question involving the interest Of
all the people Of the state is the proper
promotion Of the cause OF temperance The
question Of statewide prohibition came be.
fore the last legislature by virtue Of plank
IN the Democratic platform calling for the
passage Of a bill submitting the matter 20
a vote Of the people. That legislature how.
ever, did not pass such a bill. but allowed
the prohibition question 10 become so in.
volved with other questions as to interfere
seriously with the orderly transaction Of
regular business.
All Of us know that for several sessions
Of the General Assembly this question has
been disturbing factor throughout the en-.
tire time the legislature was here. Many
Of those who favored or opposed legislation
on this question have allowed IL TO infiu.
ence their course on other matters of great
importance 70 the state government or 20
delay action thereon. The question Of regu.
lating or suppreSsing the liquor traffic should
be settled on It's own merits without regard
20 other questions that may come before
you. You should do what you think is
right and what you eonsceniiously think IL
bcs; Tor your constituents and FOR the state
relative 10 this question. II you are salts.
fed that majority of your constituents
and Of the state want state wide prohibit
uon, You should carry out their wishes by
passing a safe law TO extend the effects Of
the present prohibition laws 20 the whole
state. II, however YOU think il is wisest
aud bes1 and the desire Of your constituents
that the people OF the whole state should
themselves determine by their votes whether
or not the. wish the enactment Of state.
wide prohibition law. then you should. by
the passage Of proper measure, submit that
question 20 their vote