The Green Forest tribune., 1911-01-20
To the Members of the Thirty eighth Gen eral Assembly,:

eTal ASSemDly:
 When l was inaugurated as chief ex- ecutIve two years ago, l stated in my ad- dress to the General Assembly that had had no previous training whatever in the art of statecraft, and that whatever fitness l possessed for the office of governor must come from rugged association with human affairs. That l believed statecraft to be only an intensely practical matter. and that as all my life l had been accustomed to do the things 1 had to do with whatever l had to - them with, I expected the forces the didyFtes which I would no doubt en, counter3 In giving to you an account of my steyardship, candor compels me to state that have found many things to do, and, with.
 One of the greatest things with which my administration has been hampered has been the condition of the states finances My term governor began at time when our treasury was greatly depleted. For sev, eral years the future had been borrowed from to meet the then pressing exigencies of I Se state government Year by year the tha ened deficit had been growing greater. Pay Fay was bound to come. We have 1t with us now. At the adj ournment of the last legislature I thought it 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 1t at a time when so little effort would have averted all danger. Our system of collecting taxes made it possible to keep the trouble far in front. Our biennial appropriations extend only until April l. Tax collections commence January l. But settlement with the auditor and treasurer are not compul- sory until July l. Appropriations being made but once in two years and tax coi- lections being made every year gives us the opportunity of borrowing from the future during q period of six months every year. Other causes too numerous to mention here 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 $200,0O0. The General Assembly appropriated for various purposes in the neighborhood of $750, 900 more than the state s 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 $l,000.00O. After consulting the various officers. boards heads of institutions, etc, 1 vetoed items ill 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- tcally completed and of them now have all the students they can care for. The tuberculosis Sanatorium has been built and has practically it's full capacity of pa. tients. The new State Capitol is ready for occupancy; a new dormitory is in process ot construction at the State Normal School. and necessary improvements have been made at the University of Arkansas All these insti- tuti0nS have been conducted basis of the strictest economy, as have the Deaf 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. In this work of economy l have been aided by splendid body of state officials and members of the different boards, without Tn whose assistanee so Mn,ueh r could not have tod t1, ..Ia a great benefit and it's work has increased our revenues very materially. With the ex- ercise of care and wisdom in your appro- priations during this session, and by wise revision of present laws, these difficult ties 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 l urge upon you the importance of so doing
 Law Enforcement.
 Since l have beep governor I have main tained that the laws Shall be enforced, and have done all l could in that direction. In this have been ably assisted by efficient that generally there has been a closer ob servance of the laws and better enforce ment of them. Still, in a few instances they have been overthrown and mob law has reigned. 1 unhesitatingly say that you should enact a law that will prevent mobs in any shape or form. Nothing So disturbs ful action of the mob in taking into it's own hands what is denominated the speedy netting out of justice All human beings should be given their right of a 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 few cast 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 to prohibit it. I believe if the mob custody of sheriff other officer, that the official who suffers his prisoner to be taken from him should be deprived of his office.
 State Lands
 Again l recommend that the lands belong ing to the state be withdrawn from sale cept to bona fde homesteaders. From year to year they have been sold off until the acreage now belonging to the state is 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 state and the people have received noth- ing for it. The remaining tracts are worth far than the present price asked. These lands will increase greatly in value time goes on. The report of the present census shows our state to be rapidly settling up. The remainder of the states land should be held subject to 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- lator.
 l recommend that you investigate the ad- visa ~ of the abolishment of the State Lar 1liee at the expiration of the present com,Y Yssloner's 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 to a matter which he considers of vast importance to this state, viz: large deposit of coal lying beneath the bed of the Arkansas River. He ,1.aa fnIl nn areas which are beneath the channel of the stream containing the productive coal hori- zon are:
 right angles at the northwest quarter of 1iou l, township north, range 2l west, upstream to a line crossing the river at sectiaa 27, township north, range 23 west.
 ..3 e,Gsss -h9s crossing the the river at TS.stFeam to line crossing the river at right angles at the southeast corner of sec ton 29, township north, range 23 west.
 '3. From line crossing the river at right angles at the northwest corner of sec ton 36, township north, range "A west upstream to one crossing at the township line of section 1. township north, range
 ''4. From q line crossing the river at right angles at the northwest corner of sec tiqn 5, township north. range 24 west, anu thence upstream to the Arkansas Okla homa line.'
 br Branner stated to me that this coal. If preserved TOT the state undlSturhed would be in the near future, worth many millions of dollars He stated also that he had nos tined the governor at the time of his dis. coyery, but did not know what action had been taken concerning it. He referred to decision of our Supreme Court in the case nf St. L l. NJ. & s. Ky. Co., V Ramsev 3a ark, 323, where it had been decided that 'beds of all navigable rivers of the state belong to the state. -
 recommend that you make suitable pro- vision for the investigation by the state eeologist as to whether or not this property L. A.en OF is haing diStnrhal hr rn.nne