The Green Forest tribune., 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 9ttention to the affairs of the penitentiary which the importance of the subject seems to re- quire
 Your former governor immediately preceding this administration, 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 a member of the penitentiary board, the convict system was so barbarously ad- ministered as to make it preferable to release all convicts hired out, and sub ject the state to the dangers which will result from their liberation, rather than impose on them further confinement in the penitentiary. This charge. coming from 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 conV1cts have suffered inhuman treatment, if any, and in what instances punishment has been inflicted on those who have abused their power over the conyicts If abuses have been practiced. and no punished mas been ln1lcted on thoSe 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 stitutions of the state is so defective and unsatisfactory as to suggest the advisability of creating an economy and efficiency commission to consider the possibility of reducing the expenses of the state government in all it's de- t1i r1d ha of mo 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- tons of the haphazard manner in which 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 lfgent citizens are studying and work ing along the lines which the commits sion should pursue. and they would be glad to serve without compensa tion. It would be advisable to authorize the em- IloEment of a secretary of the commits sion at a reasonable salary. AS a result of the investigation and report of such commission, the expenses of govern meat will be reduced, and at the same time the efficiency of the service in creased.
 Consideration may well be devoted to the enactment of a worlmen's compen- sation act In several states laws
  pensation in all cases of death or in jury to 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- tion and both the employe and the em- 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 United States. The governor assumed authority to veto the resolution While it is quite probable that the ratification is effective without regard to the at- tempted 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 resolution ratifying this amendment. Tho people of this state are in favor of the amend ment and do not desire that the ques- tion be left open
 An amendment authorizing the elec- tion of United States senators by popu- lar vote has been submitted by Con- greSs. Surely no argument need here be cited in support of this amendment which seems to be now generally ap- proved throughout 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 more to speedy de- velopment than good highways. The proposition to authorize working of county convictS on public roads in the various judicial circuits will likely be presented to you, and is worthy of attention.
 The advisability of purchasing or es- tablishing rock quarries in various DOT convict labor rock for use on highways to counties and towns at a low cost would encourage In a practical way the building of good roads throughout the state.
 Unquestionably there should be ere ated a state highway commission with view to making investigations and surveys and proposing the location of roads under a 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 building. 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 a view to preventing reckless waste of road funds. If it be objectionable 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 ment for good roads would not serve without compensation on a commission which might become quite useful. Something substantial should be done toward the construction of better high ways in Arkansas
 I.xyt- 1ovx fIa ,isrot tif11 and control of banks in Arkansas are somewhat antiquated 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 decided improvement on the present laws. It is suggested that this subject be 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 should make a systematic and scien- tifc study of the criminal and defective classes of population, with a view to- preventing crime by removing the cause; and in the hope of reducing the number of feeble minded bv providing for them in institutions properly or ganized and scientifically conducted It is quite possible that the expenditures of money to prevent crime will prove for punishment in the past. Every con sideration for the welfare of society re- quires that all classes of the feeble minded be provided for in institutions.
 Large deficiencies exist in the appro- priations for the four agricultural schools. These deficiencies exist in part, of liabilities for materials fur nished and labor performed. A casual investigation of them discloses that in ---~----->-->---------- ->->--->~,--~-----~
 Clemenceau made satisfactory ex- planation to the seconds and the incl