The Prescott daily news., 1915-03-10

fN' SFiHS SouHlleS lOcal option with reference to them. Many coun- ties though asked and received stock laws, showing a marked change from a lew years ago, when four wire fence laws were always fiercly con 1 tested. The state has reached the period in these matters where it is only question of one or two general assemblies before the people of each county will be permitted to vote on such measures without appealing to the legislature.
 An amusing action of the Assembly in dealing with dog tax measures shows that a burned child will stay away from the fire. The House pass ed two of these measures, one for h. dependence and one for Cross counties. The Senate passed the Cross county bill, it being rushed through, a local measure for the protection of the sheep industry, but with the roll call still echoing through the Senate cham Der, notice for reconsideration was given. Not so many years ago the Arkansas legislature passed a gen eral 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 legis- lator who puts tax upon the poor mans dog!
 In a general way the game bill takes position almost as prominent as the liquor legislation. After its 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 i'm 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 peniten- tiary, who are under sentence of cleo trocution.
 Because the loan sharks, who lend to the poorer classes of cities and charge eXhorbitant interest, could not be reached without running the legiti- mate 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 eli minated in time.
 Railroads or corporations of any kind, was not affected to any extent by the Assembly. The railroads were denied their plea to have the Arkan- sas Railroad Commission investigate their condition and be given the power to increase passenger rates if they say it was necessary in order to oper- ate the railroads with profit, but on the other hand no additional burden was placed upon them. The Senate never took to the Public Service Com mission bills. any more than it did to the bank guaranty or telephone regu- lation bills. The 1915 session of the legislature was not a corporation bali ter, a marked change in the past few years. If this keeps on improving,
 in a few years the legislature will be actually encouraging capital. and ln- viting it to come to Arkansas to seek investment A bill was passed to re- quire all railroads operating in Arkan- sas to repair their equipment which becomes damaged within the state, in shops located within the state. This was one of those sponsored by the labor unions, and one which they will be more than willing to back away from before the next legislature It is we'll known that the largest shops of the Iron Mountain, Rock Island and Cotton Belt are located in Arkansas. All the little roads operating within the state have their shops in Arkan- sas. The Frisco and Kansas City Southern already have their shops within the state of sufficient size to repair their Arkansas damaged goods, but it will be rather inconvenient in some cases to reach them. Other
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