The Harrison times., 1911-05-13
Our Little Rock Letter.

his speech; and Indignantly sent his
resignation to the Speaker, who re-
fused to accept it. Mr. Grant, how
ever insisted that it be accepted.
This left the field to Kerwin and
Hurst, and while admitting that
the majority appeared to favor the
bill, they put up a game fight in
support of the common people, " and
were ever ready on the instant with
some point of order or some new
move that might permit them to
defeat the measure On the other
side were ranged the Hot Springs
delegation, Mr.. Going, Mr.. Burke,
Mr.. Anderson and several Others.
The test votes showed a safe MA
jority for the bill, the closest call it
being on the motion to suspend the
rules for a second reading, which
received 81 votes, Just enough to
carry. Even after the bill passed,
there was a fight over a move to
amend the title Bitter speeches,
invective, personal aspersions, and
decidedly antagonistic views re-
garding what is best for the com
mon people characterized the
speeches.
| Until 6 p m, the longest session
yet held the storm ragged without
abatement, the supporters of the
bill winning on every point. They
claim the bill will encourage indus
try in the state where for the last
five years it mas been discouraged
and held down,
STILL TALK OF EXTRA SESSION
Although this has been the long
, est session on record, it is an I'M
disputed fact that the most inn
portant work has been neglected.
Appropriations amounting to near
" three million dollars outside of
the things that are taken care of
by specific leves, have been made,
and no provision has yet been made
, for raising the money with which
, to meet these expenses,
GOV, Donaghey told President
: Touey that something I'd to be
done; that the expenses were ex-
ceeding the available resources OF
the state, and that the fnancifi con-
/. dition of the state is most deplor-
able. He did not say it in so many
words, but he left the impression
strong on the mind of Senator
Toney that unless some sort of a
financial relief message were passed
he would be compelled to call the
legislature back in extra session.
The proposition was put up square.
" to the Senate bv the President,
who declared the Senate must act
in such way that none of the fault
might be laid at its door
AS a result Of the governors state.
ments, bill was introduced in the
Senate, drawn by the Tax Commits
sion providing radical change in
the manner of making the state
tax levy. 1t is provided that the
Auditor shall certify out the levy
: after the aggregate assessment has
I. been made by the Tax Commission
| and assessors as high as possible,
basing the levy upon the amount OF
money needed to meet expenses and
: appropriations No maximum Is
fixed, but the levies can be harmon
lied, and all held within the limit
3, of necessity. 1t is hoped that this
bill, which has the approval of the
governor will put through this
week, and that it will give some re-
: lief, although not immediate.
STATE BOARD OF FINANCE.
: One Of the important bills oflere
during the last days of the session
is bill by Mr.. Warnock providing
for State Board of Finance which
is designed to save the state from
the spectacle Of financial confusion
which has usually been witnessed at
the close Of the legislative session.
This Board shall consist of the
Governor, Treasurer and Tax Com
missioners, who shall meet twenty
days prior to the meeting of the
Legislature, and ascertain as nearly
as possible the probable annual rev.
enues, and prepare n budget of nee
essary appropriations for the next
two ysars. When the revenues are
insufficient, the funds are to be pro
rated as equitably as possible, and
a full report with their recommended
tions shall be filed with the Legis-
lature.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
| The program of the State Board Of