The Harrison times., 1911-01-21
To the Members of the Thirty eighth Gen
81

dress TO the General Assembly that / had
had no previous training whatever IN the
art of satecraft. and that whatever fitness
l possessed for the Office Of governor must
come from a rugged association with human
affairs That | believed statecraft to be
only an intensely practical matter and that
as oil my life l had been accustomed to DO
the things / had to do with whatever l
had 10 do them with / expected the forces
of energy and common sense TO tide me over
the difficulties which | would no doubt en-.
counter. In giving TO you an account OF
my stewardship, candor compels me TO state
that have found many things TO do, and,
in most instances. but little to do them
with.
One Of the greatest things with which
my administration has been hampered has
been the condition OF the states finances.
My term as governor began at a time when
our treasury was greatly depleted. For sew,
eral years the future had been borrowed
from to meet the then pressing exigencies
Of the state government, Year ny year the
threatened deficit had been growing greater.
Pay day was bound TO come. We nave IL
with us now At the adjournment Of the
last legislature | thought II would overtake
us much sooner. Our finances are several
months short. The day of settlement should
have fallen on the shoulders of those who
needed not the warning given them, but
neglected the opportunity TO prevent ~ al
time when 50 little effort would have
sverted all danger Our system of collecting
far in front. Our biennial appropriations
extend only until April l. Tax collections
commence January /. But settlement wlth
the auditor and treasurer are not compul'
sorry until July l. Appropriations being
made but once in two years and tax col
lectons being made every year gives us the
opportunity OF borrowing from the future
during a period of six months every year.
Other causes too numerous TO mention here
may enter. until we can get many months
behind our income before an actual shut
down is forced. At the meeting of the
last legislature the future revenues of the
state had been borrowed and used to the
amount of about 100000. The General
Assembly appropriated for various purposes
in the neghborhood OF S750,000 more than
the states income for general purposes for
that biennial period This with the amount
already borrowed from the future, made the
threatened deficit Of the general revenue
fund about 100000. After consulting the
various officers, boards, heads OF institutions,
etc, / vetoed items in the appropriations
that l thought should be dispensed with,
thus greatly decreasing them, Under this
plan we have worked, The institutions of
the state have all been running, and, on
an economical basis have been run well.
The four agricultural schools are all prae'
tically completed, and some of them now
have all the students they can care for,
The tuberculosis sanstOrium has been built
and has practically its full capacity OF Pa
tients. The new State Capitol is ready for
occupancy, n new uOIulkulN Is III pINNtss Va
construction at the State Normal School, and
necessary improvements have been made at
the University of Arkansas. All these lnsu.
tutious have been conducted on basis OF
the strictest economy as have the Dear
Mute Institute, the Blind School and the
Hospital for Nervous Diseases And while
there have been many times when there was
but little money in the general revenue fund;
yet all expenses have so far been met and
the state has been saved from scrip basis.
I'm this work pf | have hQpn aided
by splendid body of state officials and
members of the different boards without
whose assistance so much could not nave
been accomplished. The Tax Commission,
created by the last legislature, has also been
a great benefit and its work has increased
our revenues very materially, With the eN'
ercSe of care and wisdom in your appro'
priationS during this session, and by wise
revision Of our present laws, these difficult
ties can be avoided in the future and our
revenues increased so that we can keep pace
with the march of progress in other states.
At the outset urge upon you the importance
Law Enforcement
Since | have been governor I have main,
tanned that the laws shall be enforced, and
have done all l could in that direction. In
this l have been ably assisted by efficient
officers throughout the state. and | believe
servance Of the laws and better enforce
ment of them. Still, in few instances they
have been overthrown and mob law has
reigned. l unhesitatingly say that you
should enact law that will prevent mobs
in any shape or form. Nothing SO diSturbS
our civilization or citizenship as the uulaw.
ful action Of the mob in taking into its own
hands what is denominated The speedy
should be given their right Of hearing in
the courts Of the state. l can think of no
instance where mob law should be called
upon and no set Of circumstances that would
Justify it. such actions on the part Of the
few east reflections on the many and greatly
retard the growth and progress of a state
Our laws are such that extra terms Of court
can be called in few days TO mete out
justice in any emergency The mob should
not be tolerated and you should pass strict
laws 20 prohibit it. ! believe II the mob
takes the life Of human being while in the
custody of a sheriff or other officer, that
the official who suffers his prisoner to be
taken from him should be deprived Of his
Office.
Again l recommend that the lands belong.
ing 20 the state be withdrawn from sale ex
eept 20 bona ide homestesders, From year
10 year they have been sold of until the
acreage now belonging 10 the state is com.
paratively small. The best lands formerly
belonging TO the state have most all been
sold, principally for the timber. This tim.
Der has been shipped from the borders OF
our state and the people have received moth.
ing for il. The remaining tracts are worth
far more than the present price asked.
These lands will increase greatly in value
as time goes on. The report Of the present
census shows our state 10 be rapidly settling
up, The remainder Of the states land
should be held subject 10 donation by actual
settlers under restrictions that would pre-
vent their use for any other purpose. They
should not be an asset for the land specu-
lsior.
recommend that you Investigate the ad'
visibility Of the abolshmeni Of the state
Land Once 40 the expiration Of the present
commissioners term and the Withdrawal Of
the lands from sale NOW
Coal Yet Belonging to State.
During the past year Prof. J. c. Branner,
formerly state geologist Of Arkansas. has
called my attention 90 a IustfVr which he
considers Of vast importance 10 this state,
viz: A large deposit Of oar coal lying
beneath the bed Of the Arkansas River. lie
describes the location as follows; The
areas which are beneath the channel OF the
stream containing the productive coal hori'
Ion are;
IL From q line crossing the river at
right angles at the northwest quarter Of sec.
uon II. township north, range p west
upstream 70 line crossing the river St
right angles from the northeast corner OF
section -, township north, range % west.
''2. From line crossing the river ~
right angles az the mouth OF Shoal Creek
upstream 10 = line crossing the river al
right angles az the southeast corner Of sec.
uon 20. township north. range % west
80 From a line crossing the river at
right angles at the northwest corner OF sec.