The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1913-03-07
OLD STATE HOUSE
TO Be RETAINED
MEASURE WHICH WOULD HAVE
CAUSED SALE is KILLED BY
LEGISLATURE.
VALUE WAS SET ON BUILDING
Argument Made That If Structure Was
Sold State Would not
Benefit.

Sold State Would not
Benefit.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.
The biennial bill to sell the old
statehouse, was fought out in the
house and resulted in the same old
way, the sentimentalist winning out,
IS to "a, and Arkansas will retain its
monument. This bill, house bill 10,
was introduced by lobe of Hampstead,
during the first week of the session,
but did not come up for passage until
| last week. There was plenty of ar
gument on the measure, along the
same old lines, with the puns poked
at the cannon which stands guard on
the grounds, and over the Garibaldi
saloon across the street which was
for years known as the third house.
Those favoring the bill argued that
the state needed the money more than
the sentiment connected with old
building. The bill specified the build
Ing was not to be sold for less than
$3.50 900 and it was intimated the
price paid would be much larger The
supporters of the bill stated the state
could sell the property and give good
title Those opposing the bill argued
that in a short time the state would
have neither money nor old state
house if it was sold. The principal
speakers for the bill were lobe, the
author, Patterson, Sain and Shackle-
ford, and those leading for the oppo-
sition We're, Rorex and Baxter. Pat
terson stated the state had no more
use for two capitols than man has
for two coffins.
Providing for a bond issue of $3.50.
600, with which to pay the deficiency
the state government has staring it in
the face, the joint finance committee
has introduced bill in the senate.
This bill provides for a sinking fund,
and the payment into it annually of
IA mill to be taken from the present
state capitol tax levy, so there Will be
no change in the taxes of the property
owners. Out of this fund the bonds
will be redeemed. The bill further ap-
propriates SIS, 5000 with which to pay
interest for the biennial period. The
bonds are to be issued in denOmina-
tons not to exceed 500 and are not
to draw over per cent. The bonds
will be offered 20 Arkansas citizens
first, and if they will not meet the
offer of the non-residents, then the
bonds may be disposed of elsewhere.
The house killed the Martin game
preservation bill, the measure which
has often been referred to as the
McIlhenny bill, because the Louisiana
naturalist has been credited with
framing it, This bill was opposed by
some because they declared the farm
er would be oppressed under it, while
others claimed the farmers were for
it, but the city hunter against. The
vote was so close. 80 to so, that no
tice OF reconsideration was given, and
the measure will again be fought out
on the floor OF the house.
Another bill which was defeated was
house bill 1868, prepared by the joint
finance committee for the raising of
revenue by taxing everything owned
/ by corporation, firm or individual
This was opposed by some because Of
the burden it would place on the farm
er. Others claimed it was the Turn
er-Jacobson bill in a more virulent
form. and with sting twice as Sc
we're Still others declared there was
no resemblance i'll the bill, and the
assertion was a mere corporation bug
/ a-boo to prevent its passage, Thus
there were found people in all walks
Of life to be oppressed by the bill, and
It failed to pass. The vote was 43 to
&c. which was so close a notice was
given that a reconsideration would be
asked for,
The senate passed the Rodgers, OF
! Benton, bill to work the state convicts
on the public roads, and providing
one-fourth mill tax for their mainten-
ance, was passed, as was the Miles
bill providing for the appointment Of
a commission
Senate bill 255, Smith, makes it OBJ
ligatory on the part of the state TO pay
to the families Of convicts, all they earn
while working for the state, over the
expenses of their keep. If the con-
vict has no family the money can be
placed in a savings bank to the credit
vides for the taking of ST 900 from
the convicts earnings to form a prison
library.
The fight on liquor was resumed by
the temperate when Senator Wagner
introduced bill making it unlawful
to sell or give away liquor within 10