The Harrison times., 1912-05-18
Little Rock Letter.
LITTLE Rock, MAY 10Th, 'l2

ono IClCICUuulll petition ana IlNS
initiative petitions-.tenin all. briefly,
is the result OF the first years appli.
cation ofthe direct legislation system
in Arkansas,
Beside these general laws that are
about twcnty.hyemeasurcs affecting
only counties municipalities, many
of which are in doubt
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
When the time for the filing OF
initiative petitions expired last
Thursday evening, there were four
proposed constitutional amendments
to be voted on, two proposed by the
people and two submitted By the
Legislature, Under the Constitution
the Legislature can submit not more
than three amendments at a time,
but there appears to be norestriction
as to the number the people may
| initiate.
The Legislature submitted the
so-caIlcd "grand-iathcrclaSe' amend
ment to the election laws, thcpurposc
of which is TO provide not only an
educational but an ancestral quail
hcation for voters, 1t is designed
primarily to disiranchisc the negro,
and the negroes Of the state are
organizing strong Suffrage Leagues
all over the state to combat it, and
forming offensive and defensive al
liances with any causes or interests
that will aid them in retaining their
franchise, Many Democrats are
opposed to it, and both factions Of
the Republican party havccondcmn-
cd it.
The Legislature also submitted
The proposition for the exemption
from taxation "all capital invested
in the state within the next ten
years in the manufacturing of cotton
and fiber goods in any manner, for
a period Of seven years next after
they shall have begun business, u
This is the amendment which was
defeated by the people four years ago
A proposed amendment initiated
by the people under the direction Of
Attorney.gcneraI Norwood proposes
that hereafter Legislative sessions
shall not exceed GO days in length,
at So per day, "and ifany regular
session shall be extended, such
member shall serve without further
per diem The petition filed with
the Secretary Of State contained
1882 signatures There is little
doubt that this will be approved BY
the people, as rebukc TO the long,
expensive sessions that have been
held during last few years, notably
1911, with l26 days at a cost Of
5000, 900, Being a constitutional
amendment, the Legislature can
have no recourse, but must accept
it as it reads They cannot amend,
repeal, or defer it, as some authori,
ties hold they can do with initiated
statutes
The people also initiated an amend.
mcnt, with nearly 10000 petitioners,
providing that cities and towns of
more than 1000 population may
have the right to issue bonds for in
tefnal improvements, This is the
measure drafted by n convention of
mayors and officials of all the larger
cities Of the state, and was especially
advocated by yorTaylorof Little
Rock. a similar measure was de.
ieatcd four years ago, because OF
the discovery Of a 'jokcr' in it which
It was contcndcd, would have nulli.
fled it, This act was most carefully
drawn, and while somegood LAWYERS,
notably Atty.GenerOl Norwood,
think they have detected flaws in it,
the opinion prevails that it will be
approved Should it be passed such
cities as Fort Smith, Little Rock,
Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, TexOrkana,
Helena Jonesbore, Newport, and
Russellvile would seek immediately
to put it into effect, Little Rock
has in view about 81, 100000 worth
Of important improvements to be
made that can be managed in no
other way than by bond issue,
INITIATED STATUTES,
Within ninety days after the Od.
journment of the last Legislature
petitions bearing 10000 signatures
had been filed to refer TO the people
the revenue measure passed by the
General Assembly commonly known
~ the Turner'Jucobson bill, This
was the principal issue in the recent
campaign for governor. being adj
voeated strongly by Gov Donaghey
and MS bitterly opposed by Mr. !
Robinson The overwhelming
victory Of Mr. Robinson is accepted !
bV munv ng inlubituble prODhpay of