The Mena weekly star., 1913-09-18
WOULD BORROW OF
 THE CAPITOL FUND
Can Only Be Done by Special Legis- lative Session, and Governor Is Afraid of Complications -
 Wants Ii Million Dollars.

Little Rock, Sept 12.-The flnan- eial straits of the general revenue fund of the state is subject that is rapidly eclipsing all others in the states affairs. State Auditor l., L. Cofman has made public the statement that the general revenue is exhausted, and that the only remedy is 10 borrow S250000 from the state capitol fund. This can be done only by calling an extra ses- sion of the legislature. The gov ernor approves the plan, and says that if Mr. CofIman's plan were car ried out the state could repay the capitol fund in three years. This would put the state on cash ba- sis.
 But Governor Hays is afraid that complications might get into the legislature. Mr. Conman, however, says he is not afraid to trust the men elected by the people to carry out such matters as are to the best interests of the state.
 T believe" said he, that the members ot the legislature would agree. beforehand, to consider only such matters as should be en- hrared in thp call of the governor. | Contrary to the impression ot some, | believe that a very large majority of the members of each house are honest. patriotic men, and that they would be ready to meet the emer- cency now confronting the state. | Under the law they could not re- main in session more than fifteen days at s each per day.
 Arguments in favor of d special session of the legislature to remedy lhe present financial condition of the state cannot be answered by merely calling the legislators names. If the legislature is really nuisance and trouble-maker, then the state had better abolish the leg stature altogether. But far from being a trouble-maker, the legisla- iure is now a trouble-saVer.
 As the auditor of the state of Arkansas, 1 would deem myself re- creant to my trust if 1 did not offer some remedy for the financial crl- sis which confrOnts the state. Nat urally the first question asked by the people throughout the state is, What is the crisis of which you speak?' It is this: The great state of Arkansas, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in it's strong box. owes creditors throughout the state some $30O,000, which it will not pay.
 Tt will not allow one of it's citi- zens 10 owe a just debt if he has dollar over and above his eXemp- tious, but it will set him the eX- ample of doing that same thing it. self.
 At different times the newspa- pers carry advertisements asking bids to furnish the institutions of the state with meat flour, clothing, medicine and everything else need ed The total cost, under ordinary conditions, is enormous. With war rants now deteriorated, and they will go lower, the bidder, in order to protect himself, must enhance his price. The state MUST have ihe goods, regardless of the price. Does it not seem the part of wis dom to spend a small amount in or der that a very large sum may be saved?
 Tt should be remembered that the depreciation in state warrants must be paid by the people in the long run. Every excess paid beyond the regular price is a tax on the people which can be saved. If this be true, why should it not be done? The money is in the treasury, more than sufficient 10 meet the press ing demands of the state. Why should the people be taxed to pay the depreciation in warrants when it can be avoided, and without in