The log cabin Democrat., 1911-04-27
DAY IS SPENT
 ON CAPITOL BILL
IS UNCUT
SESSION OF HOUSE COMMIT TEE STORMY DURING ITS
 CONSIDERATION.

Little Rock, April 27.-For the first time this session, there were stormy times in the house Wednesday after noon. And it was all over the new state capitol which has upplied the basis of so much controversy in the state for the last ten years. Pass this bill," declared one of the mem bers, "and you will change the polite al aspect of the state
 The bill carrying total of $672,000 in nine items, was considered all day in committee of the whole with Mr. Hardage in the chair. Hurst of Wash ington, Lacey of Izard and Jones of Pulaski were among the leaders of the opposition and an effort was made to cut down each item without success.
 Hurst declared that Caldwell & Drake, the original contractors, had bee thunder contract to complete the building for $385,0OO, but they were turned out. Last session an appro- priation of $790,000 was made to com plete the building, and now an addi- tional $672, ,000 is being asked. He said that the bill for $S00,00 which was before the session of 1905 and was defeated because it was |" a steal' provided for little more than half the amount that has since been asked by the administration. "The people have always understood that the building was to be completed cheaper than Caldwell & Drake would have done it, said he, but does this look like it?'
 Representative Grant of Jackson championed the bill in all its details, and was one of the recognized leaders on that side
 MT. Hurst attempted to cut out the clause providing that "the tax shall continue to be levied and collected un- til funds sufficient to cover above items are available for that purpose, | it being the intention of this act to continue said tax so long as there may remain any liability against the state, by reason of debts incurred and created in and about the construction of said capitol building" He declared | that future legislatures should not be saddled with thi responsibility, since on the present assessment the capitol levy yields only S387 ,000 pear. Par tain tried to strike out the whole pro- vision for the continuation of the levy, 1 Davis of Lafayette insisted that the State is tired, and ought to be per mitted to rest a while and catch its 1 breath.
 Finally the Hurst amendment was put to viva voce vote and Chairman Hardage ruled that the amendment failed. Instantly pandemonium broke loose Those who favored the amend ment, 30 or more in the party, stormed and shouted themselves hoarse, de- manding "division,' but the chairman hammered his desk and above the up- roar ordered the clerk to proceed with the reading of the bill. For five min utes the confusion continued unabat- ed. A solid phalanx of objectors, led by Brown of Cleveland, Parker of Ouachita, and Partain of Franklin, with score of others, clogged the aisle in front of the speakers stand. insisting that standing vote be talk en on the amendment, but the chair man refused to recognize them, and a muttering peace was soon restored where chaos had reigned.
 By a vote of 40 to 37 a section pro- vding that the governor may issue prCmIssory notes lin such sums and amounts as may be necessary to carry folward the work With eApediency. at rate of interest not to exceed six per cent per annum" was cut out. With this one amendment. the committee arose and reported, Iecomn.o nc iiig that the bill do pass. In the house the fight will be resumed even more bitterly, it is believed.