The Forrest City times., 1913-01-24
II instances they were necessary, and

all instances they were necessary and in many instances they were unavoid- able. You will investigate carefully these obligations of the state, and if. In your judgment, they are valid, make provision for their prompt payment
 It is also apparent that the growth of our agricultural schools has been rap i'd. Appropriations for dormitories and other buildings heretofore vetoed under the last administration have increased erly provide for the rapid growth of these institutions It is manifest that in some cases the usefulness and success of these schools depends upon prompt provision being made by the General Assembly for equipment and the comfortable housing of students Detailed and itemized information con corning the subject will be furnished you. The value of scientific learning in agriculture cannot be overeStimated Throughout the nation there has recent " been an awakening to the impor- tance of this subject You will doubt dltons of the general revenue fund will permit It is contemplated that our agricultural schools, with other edu cational institutions, shall be placed on cannot become effective during the pres ent fiscal year. and it will stnl be nec- essary to provide for improvements re- Guired and for the deficits her ein referred to from the general revenue fund
 The appropriation heretofore made for a dormitory at the state normal was known to be inadequate at the time. the same became effective, and it is now necessary to complete the building al ready begun in order that it may he used to provide in part for the rapidly increasing number of pupils at the in stitution.
 The proper and liberal maintenance Of the I'niVarSifV pf \ rl a e stIb- Ject which invites your earnest consid eration. Its usefulness in the past may be greatly increased by proper legisla- tion and necessary reforms No at tempt is now made to discuss this sub ject in detail. It is reserved for spe cial message.
 While institutions of learning main tained by religious organizations. and our educational system. the common schools maintained at public expense are it's foundation They are riehtfully entrenched i'll the confidence and affec- ly accepted test of civilization is the dissemination of intelligence among the masses. When a free school has become accessible 70 every student; when the influence of the teacher has extended to every home, and to those who are homeless; when our institutions of higher learning have been placed on a permanent basis and freed from poli- ilcS, ignorance ana crime Will De Gllnln- ished, and the states title to place among the foremost will become se cure
 The report of the board of charities discloses that a deficiency of fifteen thousand dollars exists in the appro- priation for the Confederate home It will of course, be necessary to provide for this deficiency. The inmates of this institution are objects of love and ten der solicitude on the part of our entire citizenship IT iS nri1a and n1 ure to make provision for their com fort. Many ex-Confederate soldiers have suggested the advisability of plac- ing the home under a separate board to consist in part at least of veterans, This suggestion is commended as worthy of your consideration.
 The report of the Board of State Charities, which has control of the Hos pitAi for Nervous Diseases. discloses a deficit of more than sixty-flve thousand dollars in the appropriation for that in stitution. comparison of the cost of maintaining this important and neces- sary institution with the cost of simi lar institutions in other states warrants the belief that it can be materially re- duced without impairing the efficiency of the service rendered. No valid req ary of five thousand dollars per an nun for the superintendent and also salary of thirty-fve hundred dollars per year for the services of an expert
  necessary. Of course efficiency is all ways the first aim to be attained in the public service. It appears however, that these expenditures are out of pro portion to salaries generally paid.
 The reports of the Board of State Charities and of the superintendent of the Hospital for Diseases. the school for the Blind and of the Deaf Mute Institute containing valuable informa- ton and many recommendations are available for your use. Many sugres- tions are therein submitted for your consideration. Legislation affecting these institutions and the Confederate home may better be presented in a sep arate message hereafter to be submit ted to you
 Leeislation for the St Francis levee district and for the University of Ar kansas, while perhaps not subordinate in importance to some questions here in discussed will be presented at an other time. II is not deemed advisable to confuse your deliberations with a multiplicity of recommendations at one time.
 The more liberal maintenanGe of the Arkansas National Guard with a view Is improving it's efficiency. advisability of gradually establishing the kindergarten in our common school system, the com- plete survey of our public schools the passage of an act providing for the inspection Of nursery stocks, and the revision Of our game laws are among other subjects which invite consilera- tion and concerning which further sus- EestiOns may hereafter be submitted Estimates relating to certain institu- tions are printed herewith as an appen- dix These estimates will require very careful consideration and for the most part should he greatly reduced
 There Is neither rivalry nor conflict between the Legislature and the gover- nor. Our functions are distinct and well defined. In recommending leCisla- tion. the executive performs a cOnstl- tutional function The present chief executive will keep constantly In mind the relative spheres of duty Implied in the division of the powers of govern roent into three coordinate branches No attempt ought to be made and there fore none will be made. to Coercc your action or to influence 1t from any other standpoint than the high consideration of duty and public interest Tn approv- | ing or rejecting recommendations for legislation 'by the executive. the Cen eral Assembly is well within It's right | The policies and measures herein out i lined are, for the most part. the result of many months of patient labor No sense of vanity or pride in personal opinion should govern or be considered in "~"tte~s of high public concern
 Take these suggestions in the spirit which t1,ayy,