Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-02-17
.BITTtR FIGHT
 IN THE HOUSE Reservation of the Old State House Caused
 It All.
KERW1N IN MIX-UP
Brown, of Cleveland, Said Women Ought to Stick to Washtubs-
 PetticOat Government Charged

Little Rock, Ark, Feb. 16.-After the House had slumbered nearly all day someone touched match to the powder and the session Thursday closed in set piece of fire-a debate on the question of whether or not the old State House should not be pre- served. The proposition came up late in the afternoon and so heated did the debate become that had not an adjournment been forced at 4:30 the debate would have gone on until nightfall, with the ones who usually object to the House being in session later than 4 o'clock, taking the prin- cipal part in the argument Aside from this nothing of importance was done in the afternoon session other than the report of the Ways and Means Committee on the budget for the maintenance of the departments of state during the biennial period end- | ing April 1, 1913. The Ways and Means committee asked for an appro- 1 priation of $503,566 to bear the ex- penses of all departments for the next two years, irrespective of the state institutions, or the care of the Capitol. There are no increases in 1 the budget. with the exception of the additional salaries allowed chance1- lors and circuit judges by the last leg islature. which have only recently be- come effective, and the expenses of the State Tax Commission, for which no provision was made in the last appropriation The Ways and Means committee has in its list of appropris- tions, declined to allow additional as- sistance. for the office of the Chief Executive, and also for additional work in the department of the Ccm- missioner of Mines, Manufactures and : Agriculture. All the state officials and assistants will next year draw the same salaries as heretofore # the budget is accepted.
 Those who oppose an adjournment at the end of 60 days worked one ov- CT on the short termers when the House refused to permit the report to go to second reading and ordered 300 copies printed. This will keep the appropriation measure out of the House for several weeks, while it is in the hands of printer. and by that time the first 60 days will be elapsed without chance to make appropria- tions for the carrying on of the state government. When the House had dropped off to sleep, again on the passage of bill by MT. Munn, of Ne. vada, providing for depository in his county. Mir. Clarke, of Lonoke, se- cured the floor and began to fire in amendments to his bill for the preser. , vation of the old State House. The first amendment provided that the State retain title to the property and sell no portion of it. The second was for spaces for exhibits for each coun- ty of the state in the building. The third amendment provided for the ap- pOintment of four men and two wo- . men by the Commissioner of Mines,
 Manufactures and Agriculture as members of the Old State Capitol Memorial Association, which commit tee should have power to receive do- nations for the maintenance of the in
 stitution. The fifth amendment gave the Commissioner of Agriculture the right to accept donations for the pre- 1 servation of the building. The fifth amendment provided that the House of Representative chamber is to be used only for meeting place for the people of the state. Mr. Meador, of Clarke. then stuck in his oar with an amendment that 75 spaces be all
 loted, one to each county of the state, i. for exhibit purposes. All these were adopted. Mr. Hardage. recognized leader of those favoring the sale ot the building, then offered an amend.
 ment providing for the question of sale or preservation to the people oi
 the state at the next general election l War. or its first cousin, broke loose in a minute. The aisles were filled
 with shouting representatives, all clamoring for recognition to take a whack or defend the Hardage resolu- ton. Mir. Kerwin made substitute
 motic1 to that of MT. Hardage. ask ing that the amendment be rejected.
 Mir. Hardage is one of the strongest debaters of the House and for th'r-y minutes he talked on why the State House should be disposed of, growing r"~esstic at times. He also irsimatei that tre House could perform its dut-
 iea v3inoNf fhe infltoyJfe fsf fhc wfY.