The Forrest City times., 1913-01-24

The state officers who now compose the board have so many duties more direct ly connected with their offices that 1t has been found impracticable for them to give that care and 3t.ention to the affairs of the penitentiary which the importance of the subject seems to re- qure.
 Your former governor, immediately preceding this admnistrati ton. but a few days ago pardoned approximately one half of the total number of conviCts confined in the penitentiary. This un- precedented exercise of the pardon pow CT was sought to be justified on the ground that, under his own administra tion, and while he was acting as q member of the penitentiary board, the convict system was so barbarously ad- ministered as to make 1t preferable to release all convicts hired out and sub jeot the state to tine dangers which will result from their liberation ra ather than impose on them further confinement in the penitentiary. This charge, coming rom so high source and attended by such unusual circumstances. should be investigated A committee of the Leg islature should look carefully into the subject and ascertain what conVicts have suffered inhuman Urea tment. 1T any and in what instances punishment has been inflicted on those who have abused their power over the convicts If abuses have been practiced. and no
  responsible, the public is entitled to know the reason for this neglect of duty.
 The system of accounting in some of the departments and in many of the in stituti0nS of the state is so defective and unsatisfactory as to suggest the advisahflity of creating an economy and efficiency commission to consider the possibility of reducing the expenses of the state government in all it's de ba iyS p nf vpnnprn methods of accounting. The powers of such commission should be broad and extended for the sole purpose of improv- ing the public service Many illustra- affairs are administered could be cited if time and space permitted This com mission need not occasion any consid- erable expense to the state Many intel liEent citizens are studying and work ing along the lines which the commis- sion should pursue, and they would be glad to serve without compensation. It would be advisable to authorize the em- Iloyment of a secretary of the commis- sion a a reasonable salary As result of the investigation and report of such a commission, the expenses of govern meat will he reduced. and at the same creased.
 Consideration may well be devoted to the enactment of workmen's compen- sation act In several states laws have been enacted providing for com persation in all cases of death or in jury |" employees engaged in hazardous undertakings. save where the death or injury results from the willful act of the emploYe killed or injured. The sub iect should be given careful considera- ton and both tue employe and the en- ployer should be treated fairly, for it must be borne in mind that the public finally bears the burden. Compensation should be substituted for the old doc Urine of negligence liability The bur den of accidents now falls with crush ing force on the laborer and on those dependent upon him Other measures in the interest Of the cause of labor will hereafter be suggested
 The last General Assembly passed a resolution ratifying the income tax 2 amendmArt to the constitution of the United States The governor assumed authority to veto the resolution. While it Is ouite probable that the ratification is effective without regard to the at tem0ted veto. and while no legal au thorities seem to support the power Of a governor to veto such a resolution. all questions should be precluded by the prompt passage of another r=solution ratifving this amendment TE@ people of this state are in favor of the amend ment and do not desire that the ques- tion be left oper.
 An amendment authorizing the elec- tion of United States senators by popu- lar vote has been submitted by Con
 
 be cited in support of this amendment. which seems to be now generally ap- proved throuehout the United States.
 Preservation of Old State House.
 This administration is committed to the policy of preserving the old state house. Many suggestions as to its use have been submitted. Further discus sion Of this subject. however, is re served for another occasion.
 Nothing Conduces noro to speedy de ' L
 The proposition to authorize working of county convicts on public roads in the Yarious judicial circuits will likely be presented to you, and is worthy of
 The advisabilitv or purchasing or es- tahlishing rock quarries in various DOT tions of the state and furnishing with convict labor rock for use on highways to counties and towns at a low cost would encourage In q practical way the building of good roads throughout the state.
 Tncuestionably there should be ere ated state highway commission with a view to making investigations and surveys and proposing the location of roads under general plan or system. The time is speedily coming. if it is not at hand, when we must eXpend large sums of public money in road hulding. Before this burden is imposed upon the public we should provide for a more general and systematic supervision over the construction of public roads with q view to preventing reckless waste of road funds If it be obieCtionable to create such a commission on the ground that it will increase expenses. you may well consider whether public spirited citizens who are interested in the move meut for good roads would not serve without compensation on a comm isSiou which might become quite useful Something substantial should bo done toward the construction of better high ways in Arkansas.
 Existing laws for the organization and control of banks in Arkansas arc somewhat antjGuated and require revi- sion A bill looking to this end has been approved by the Arkansas Bankers Association. When modified in some particulars this proposed measure will constitute a decided Improvement on the present laws. It is suggested that this subject he given careful consideration and the measure be passed with such amendments, if any as you may deem necessary for the protection of the pub | lie interest
 The time is approaching when we l should make a systematic and scien- | tific study of the criminal and defective | classes of population with view to. preventing crime hv removing th1 l cause, and in the hope of reducing the l number of feeble minded hv providing 1 for them in institutions properly or, l Eanized and scientifically conducted I, |