Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-03-12
The Fortieth General Assembly,;
 What 1t Has and Has Not Done

I ished in few more counties, and the next few legislatures Will see salary bills all around, and it would not be surprising 10 see the officials take the initiative An this and prepare salary bill graduated according to the pop ulation or the wealth of the county. As some of the hardest fought bills now before the assembly are county salary bills, this would save much time, and it would also save county officials much worry. The local legis- lation has run much to special school districts, tick eradication, drainage. road and levee districts. General road and stock law acts were passed giving counties local option with ref erence to them. Many counties, though, asked and received stock laws, showing a marked change from a few years ago. when four-Wire fence laws were always fiercely contested. The state has reached the period in these matters where it is only question of one or two general assemblies be- fore the people of each county will be permitted to vote on such measures without appealing to the legislature.
  in dealing with dog tax measures shows that burned child will stay away from the fire. The house pass ed two of these measures, one for in- dependence and one for Cross coun- ties. The senate. passed the Cross county bill, it beng rushed through, local measure for the protection of the sheep industry, but with the roll call still echoing through the senate chamber, notice for reconsideration was given. Not so many years ago the Arkansas legislature passed a general dog tax bill and every man who supported it failed in his efforts to be returned to the next session of the assembly. A tax on children might not be opposed, but woe to the legislator who puts tax upon the poor mans uog!
 In general way, the game bill takes a position almost as prominent as the liluor legislation. After it's passage outside influences were brought to bear on Gov. Hays to pre- vent his signature being attached Arkansas is no longer the hunters paradise, SO far as the nonresident is concerned and they have no love for the Futrell bill.
 It is probable that the Davenport bill to permit juries to assess life inn prisonment in capital punishment cases, will become law, for it has been strongly advocated in the house. after it's passage through the senate. It may also save the lives of several boys now in the Arkansas penitent1- ary. who are under sentence Of eiec- trOcutiOn.
 Because. the loan sharks, who lend to the poorer classes of cities ana charge exorbitant interest, could not be reached without running the le- gitimate pawn broker out of business, they may ply their despised trade for two years more. In the meantime the new crop of legislators may find a way to reach them. The practice IS so nefarious that it is sure to be elim- l mated in time.
 Corporations Escape Persecution.
 Railroads or corporations of any kind. were not affected to any extent by the assembly. The railroads were i denied their plea to have the Arkansas railroad commission investigate their condition and be given the power to increase passenger rates if they saw it was necessary in order to operate the i railroads with profit, but on the other hand no additional burden was plac- ed upon them. The senate never took to the public service commission bills, i any more than it did to the bank guar ! anty or telephone regulation bills. The 1915 session of the legislature was not a corporation batter. mark l ed change in the past few years. IT
 CONTINUED ON PAe3E SIN