The Spectator., 1915-01-22

It was a unique precedent set by Representative Beeson of Conway last Tuesday, Lees Birthday. It has been the custom to adjourn all or half day on legal holidays of peculiar Southern significance, and the Senate followed this custom by adjourning at noon until the following morning. In the house, however, Representative V. A. Beeson of Conway, offered the fol- lowing resolution, which was adopted, and in accordance herewith the house stood in silence for one minute:
 Whereas, This is the day upon which we commemorate the birth of general of the great Southland, below ed and honored by his own and by his one-time enemies-one great in coun- cil, great in battle, but greater than all in integrity which felt dishonor like wound one who with pure and unwavering fidelity led with firm but gentle hands the fathers and sons of the South through the great conflict to defeat that was even greater than glorious victory, and
 Whereas, We can through our feeble efforts show to the thinning line of grey-the men who were his faith full followers and comrades-as they gallantly go marching down the path way that leads to eternal rest, the heartfelt deference. arodation and love we feel for their general and our gen. eral, therefore, Be it
 Resolved, By the House of Repre- sentatives of this the Fortieth General Assembly, that we arise as a body to remain standing for one minute in silent homage to commemorate this the birthday of the Southland's hero General Robert k. Lee"
 The Free Text Book bill by Dr Bishop of Little River is attracting az tention. It provides for the creation of state textbook board and the es- tablishment of a state printing plant for free school books, the governor. the secretary of state, and the attor- ney general to constitute the textbook i board proper. However, 1t is also pro vided that another committee shall be named, consisting of o. T. Greaves of the Ashdown News, w. w. Turner of the Glenwood Press, w. w Fol som of the Hope Gazette, C. H. Briggs of the Central Printing Company, Lit tie Rock. and J. l.. Wadley of the Tex arkana, Texarkanian, to act as pur- chasing committee for linotypes. sup plies, etc, in installing the state print ing plant. This plant is to be located at the penitentiary, and convict labor is to be used, under the direction Of a foreman, who is to receive not more than $50 a week.
 Books for the various counties are to be kept under the supervision of the county examiner who gets $50 per year additional for serving in this ca pacity. A board to assist in selecting the textbooks is to be composed of member chosen from the faculty of the various state colleges.
 If the state textbook board finds that another printing concern can pro- duce desired book cheaper than the state, then they are at liberty to pur- chase this book rather than print it.
 Senator T. E. Toler has succeeded in putting an end to the practice of bringing damage suits in rural coun- ties against large corporations, and putting the cost of the proceedings on the smaller county. His bill, No. 1 in the Senate. provides that when such suits are brought the county where the injury occurred must pay the cost of service, as well as the cost of the jury.
 It has been the custom for many years to bring suits for damages which occurred in cities, in rural communi- ties, where large verdict for the plaintiff, against corporation, is the rule. The injury cases from Little Rock clogged the courts of Lono;e, White and Saline counties, making the taxpayers there pay heavily for them. Now the county which would try the case, but for the prejudice which is manifest in the outlying coun- ties, will have to pay the costs.
 Senator George Jones of Pulaski