The log cabin Democrat., 1911-03-09
AID FOR STATE
 FAIR IS VOTED
NEW JUDICIAL DISTRICT
SENATE VOTES TO LEVY HALF MILL TAX FOR AGRICUL-
 TURAL SCHOOLS.

Little Rock, March 9.-Wednesday may have been called Hot Springs day in the Arkansas legislature. Two bills of especial interest to that city were passed, the state fair bill in the senate and the judicial district bill in the house. There was no opposition to the bill by Senator Williams, ap- propriating $40,000 for the support of the state fair for the ensuing two years, and only five votes were cast against it on roll call, by Senators Christian, Clerget, Fletcher, Raney and Woods, while P votes were cast for it. The bill was explained by Senator Williams and appealed to the members as a just measure for the ex- ploitation of the states resources. Secretary George R. Bedding, Mayor w. w. Waters and other citizens of Hot Springs were present and ex- pressed confidence in the bill passing the house. "The fair can be made just as big as the money they give us will make it." said Mr. Bedding.
 The total receipts of the fair for five years have been $164 ,525.16, and the total disbursements for the same period $177O21.73, and the total amount of cash that has been paid out on all accounts in excess of receipts has been $62,221.57. The bill as it passed the senate itemizes the amounts that are to be spent annual ly, including $2,500 for collecting and installing exhibits, $2,000 for awards in amounts from S100 to $1 300 in the horticultural division and liberal amounts from $100 to $1 300 in each of IA other divisions.
 The other bill in which Hot Springs was interested is that creat- ing the Eighteenth judicial circuit, to be composed of the counties of Gar land and Montgomery. It was op- posed by Representative Glover of Hot Spring county on the grounds that it would make the present cir cult too small. But Representative McLaugln made his maiden speech and declared that Hot Springs has to take care of the troubles not only of their own people but of 150,000 visit ors who come there every year. The people want the bill, he said, noth- withstanding some of the political op- position to it.
 Senator Owens of Ouachita county does not believe that theaters should be permitted to charge advanced prices for any show, whether it be the James Boys or the Divine Sara. He has introduced bill in the Arkansas senate, providing that no theater shall charge more than $1 for any seat, at any performance, and that penalty of $10 to $50 shall be assessed for each violation of the act, each ticket sold constituting a separate offense.
 The senate has spent some time considering the proposition of provid- ing for the maintenance of the agri- cultural schools of the state. Sena- tor White offered bill providing special levy of one-half mill for the support of the schools. Senators Clerget and Henderson opposed it, while Senators Woods, Covington and Fletcher spoke for it. It was argued that the schools had given the state new responsibilities and that the sup port of the institutions should be placed an certain foundation, rath- CT than depend upon the general reve- nue for their support. The bill finally passed by vote of 21 to 8.
 Senator Rodgers of Howard has in- troduced bill, read twice in the sen ate, providing that cities of the sec ond class may purchase water or light plants. At present the law permits municipalities to own such plants only when they are built by the cities themselves, and there are a number of cities in the state that are anxious to purchase plants already construct ed and in operation.