The Mena weekly star., 1913-01-30
SATURDAY MADE
 LOCAL BILL DAY
House Celebrates Event by Passing II Measures and Introducing ll OtherS-Parker Brushes
 the Press.

Little Rock, Jan. 26-The house yesterday selected Saturday as To- cal bill day, and immediately passed il local measures to celebrate the event. In addition, about 5i local measures were introduced before adjournment was taken at 3 o'clock until Monday morning.
 SOlOnS Attack Press.
 The morning session was enliv- ened by reports from the committee on elections concerning the contest for the seat of Representative Ben nett of Arkansas county, and an at tack upon newspapers that have been guilty of the crime of lese majeste by criticising the legisla- tors in their editorial columns. In a roundabout fashion, such papers were consigned to perdition as an object lesson of what may be eX- pected to happen to any editor who dares criticiSe the action of the ser wants of the people.
 Parker of Ouachita began the fireworks with his resolution that Saturday be local bill day.
 Do you mean to say we cant consider local bills except on Satur- day?' demanded Gray of Independ- ence county, in a shocked tone of voice.
 "Oh, no, no, I didn't say that Mr. Parker replied. That isn't what I said at all," and he proceeded to eIucidate his motion. Sawyer of Garland county found this an op- perfume moment to register a pro- test against the newspapers mak- ing caustic remarks about the house treating itself to a little local legislation. They don't understand the situation at all," he declared.
 Parker Deals Solar PleXus. This gave Parker of Ouachita his opportunity to land a solar plexus blow on the press. Will the gen. tIeman yield for a question" he asked, and after the gentleman graceiOusly yielded, he said: DO you know, sir, that there is one Little Rock paper which has under taken to dictate to this legislature what it shall dO?"
 Grant of Jackson saved the day for the press with one of his fa- nous sermons from the text con- tained in the eighth verse and eighth chapter of Jeremiah: The pen of the scribe is in vain." Mr. Grant declared it is his policy to treat the newspapers with sublime contempt T don't even let one of the pesky things come into my house" he declared; and Sawyer of Garland interposed with a question Does that account for your igno- rance?" he asked.
 Routine Grind Begins.
 Saturday having been designated as local bill day, the wheels began to go around and local legislation was ground out without cessation
 The contest over Representative Bennetts seat was staved off until Monday morning, when it will come before the house in regular order The majority report. of the commit tee on elections declared T. K. Ben nett, who is now seated, as the legal ly elected representative. But . minority report, signed by Patter- son of Woodruff and lobe of Hemp stead, declared H. D. Purdy the le- gal representative This report charged that many illegal vote: were cast in three wards in Stutt- gart and Gum Pond townships.
 New Clerk Authorized.
 A clerk was authorized for tho committee on agriculture and labor in a resolution submitted by Pat tersOn of Woodruff. Objection wa: raised by Boggs of Little River, who said that a resolution had beer adopted to dispense with clerks and he asked the speaker as mar 10 man if he intended to abide bS that resolution.
 q am unable to tell the gentle man from Little River what thi, house is going to do," replied tho speaker, thus modestly giving thu house all the credit for it's acts.
 Gray Takes Whole Floor.
 During the afternoon session, al unfortunate accident befell Repre- sentative Gray of Independence county. Leaning back in his chail he suddenly lost his balance ant tumbled to the floor in a most un. dignified manner.
 MT. Speaker" shouted Repre-. sentative Grant, II move the cour. tesies of the floor be extended t the gentleman from Independence.
 Out of order" replied the speak. CT. The gentleman from Inde- pendence has the floor"
 The house adopted a roll call fol special bills on Saturday, whici will be kept separately and distinc from the regular roll call of tn, house. On Saturdays, the clerk vii begin where he left off on the pre-. ceding Saturday on roll call for tn, submission of consideration of To cal bills. Little time was taken III in speechmaking on local bills, ant they were ground out with me ] lchanieal regularity.