Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-27
Failure to Explain Amend ments II and l2 Brings
 Criticism.
THE LAW PREVENTS TT
Vu'te Dinerence Between I. X R, Measures and Legislature
 Amendments.

Little Rock, Ark, Aug. 26.-Secre- tafy or State Hodges mas been made the target for some keen criticism since he issued the formal Eallot for the state election because of the fact that two of the proposed constitutional amendments do not carry any ex- planatlon with them on the Eallot 1t Is declared that this will lead to intermediate confusion and result in the death of both amendments.
 However, it apears that the criti- clsm should not be directed to the secretary Of state, but the present sys tenn of designating amendments which are to be voted upon.
 II would gladly have put some sort of explanation on the ballot concern ing these two amendments" stated MT. Hodges this morning, "but the law does not authorize any such proceed ing. I realize that, with the large number of amendments and bills that are to be voted upon ill September it may be confusing for voter unless these measures are briefly explained Yet, this is not the business of the secretary of state, nor, indeed. is he authorized by law to put single thing on the ticket about amendments proposed by the legislature except the number of the amendment. That appears on the official ballot this year, just as has always been the case under the present constitution.
 ''It is only under the I. & R. amend ment that measures proposed may be explained hriefly on the ballot All those proposed under that provision of the constitution bear the explana- tory notes in connection. consulted the attorney general as to whether or which had been proposed by the leg islature could also be explained on the ballot, but he was off the opinion that it would be better to follow the law as it is written and not undertake any liberties in Interpreting it, or in extending its application or meaning
 However, every voter in Arkansas should be posted by now on all these measures, because they have been published for days and days in every county in the State. The object Of having them published was to give every vo.er an accurate knowledge of what they are and what they will do if enacted into law.
 "At any rate," concluded MT. Hodges, 'there was nothing left to the secretary of state but to cert fly out the ballot just as it has been done,. explaining all measures pro- posed by the people and entering the others on the ballot just as the law says must be done in the case, by number merely"
 NsVssCWANc NSA"y A1O 1SNASONNus
 It is the. opinion of those who are urging that some explanation should accompany the two amendments i'll question that the average voter won't know what they mean, and rather than take any chances he will vote against them.
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 "I think it is positively absurd" vehemently declared one gentleman this morning, That these two meas ures are not explained. I don't know which is which, and I'll warrant there are not a dozen voters in he State who can tell you, off hand. what Amendment No. ii means. or what Amendment No. 12 stands for"
 He proceeded to ask for informa- ton but failed to get what he wanted explicitly, because the reporter had to acknowledge that he couldn't say exactly which was the grandfather clause" amendment and which was the tax exemption measure.
 That's just what I thought" came back the pointed comment over the phone, "Now, how in the world is the average voter to know which amendment bears on election quali- fications and which has to do with cotton factories? The system is ri- diculous and will result in the defeat ] of the amendments. unless something