The Mena weekly star., 1913-01-23

private schools are a Naiu,i"iV Ptlse,, Ptl our educational system. the common schools maintained at public expense are it's foundation They are rlghtLuly entrenched in the confidence ana aIleJJ- tions of the people. The most gene .1l, @i ly accepted test of civilization IS tne dissemination of intelligence among the masses. When a free school has become accessible to every student wnen inS 9 influence of the teacher has eNtehueu to every home, and to those who are homeless; when our institutions or higher learning have been placed on a permanent basis and freed rom poII- tics, ignorance and crime Will pc ui uillia ished, and the states title to place among the foremost will become Be- cure.
 Confederate Home.
 The report of the boart of charities discloses that a deficiency or hIteeh thousand dollars exists in the appr9. priation for the Confederate home IL will, of course. be necessary to proViue for this deficiency. The inmates or thIs institution are objects of love and ten der solicitude on the part of our entlre citizenship. It is our pride ana pleas ure to make provision for their com com fort. Many eX-Confederate soluiers have suggested the advisablity 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
 Charitable Institutions.
  Charities, which has control of the Hos pital for Nervous Diseases. diseloses deficit of more than siXty-hve thousahu dollars in the appropriation Tor thal ln Stitution. comparison or the cost ol maintaining this important and neces- sary institution with the cost Of siml- lar institutions in other states warrants the belief that it can be materlaily re duced without impairing the efficiency of the service rendered. No valid req son appears for the payment of sal ary of five thousand dollars per ah- nun for the superintendent ana also salary of thirty-five hundred dollars per year for the services of an expert alienist It would seem that this is un- necessary. Of course, efficiency IS al ways the first aim to be attained in the public service. It appears, however that these expenditures are out or pro- portion to salaries generally paid
 The reports of the Board or state Charities and of the superintendent or the Hospital for Diseases. the School for the Blind and of the Deaf-Mute Institute. containing valuable informa- tion and many recommendatons, ara available for your use Many sugges- 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.
 Legislation 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. It is not deemed advisable to confuse your deliberations with multiplicity of recommendations at one time.
 The more liberal maintenance of the Arkansas National Guard with view to improving it's efficiency advisability or gradually establishing the kindergarten fin our common school system, the com
 -11.. D1- A passage of an act providing for the inspection of nursery stocks. and the revision of our game laws are among other subjects which invite considera- tion and concerning which further sue gestions 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 Tor the most part should be greatly reduced.
 There is neither rivalry nor conflict between the Legislature and the gover- nor. Our functions are distinct ana we'll defined. In recommending legisla- ton. the executive performs a consti- tutional function. The present chief executive will keep constantly in. mind the relat spheres of duty implied Tn the division of the powers of govern ment into three coordinate branches. No attempt ought to be made, and there fore none will be made, to coerce your action or to influence It from any other standpoint than tne hlSH CouSlueidllph of duty and public interest. In approv- ing or rejecting recommendations for legislation by the executive. the Gen eral Assembly is well within its right. The policies and measures herein out 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 matters of high public concern.
 Take these suggestions in the spirit in which they are made. Enact them into laws If, in your judgment. the pub lie welfare requires. Modify them wherein you believe them to be defect i've. Reject them if, in your conscience. they are found to be wrong. Let us work together at all times for the ad- vancement of the state. The policy of this administration as manifested in the laws enacted will prove powerful fac tor in promoting the happiness and prosperity of our people. Patriotism and the progress of Arkansas prompt us to manifest spirit of justice to every interest Fidelity to conscience and loyalty to duty are indispensable attributes of meritorious public service. Solutions of questions, however impor- tant and difficult, can never be far wrong when worked out in this spirit.