Pocahontas star herald., 1915-03-12
GENERAL SUMMARY
OF THE LEGISLATURE

less than "a hours remaining Of the
legislative session, and practically |
all the business done that can be
accomplished, il Is we'll to begin TO
sum up, and see what the State has
gained for the outlay on the 60 day
session. 1t has nothing in revenue
Prodargg way. 1t has more '1'rav
agant appropriations than before,
but it has along with 1t some mag
nifcent constructive legislation, aud
the knowledge that the Fortieth
General Assembly was the hardest
working body that ever sat in the
legislative halls.
Paramount in legislation Is the
statewide liquor bill, with the ao-
companylng legislation TO make the
operat on Of blind tigers a felony,
and to permit the officers to sieze a
stock OF liquor stored within the
state. The stability Of these laws
are problematical, for it is no se-
cret that efforts will be made TO re-
peal them. as well as the Going
law, II the present prohibition laws
have not already uulliheld that.
These efforts will take shape
in ar initiated Act which will seek
10 wipe them all of with one blow,
and wnich must be voted ON Ia the
general election Of 1910. II Is not
probable that the Greathouse elec-
tion bill, consolidating state aud
national elections was encouraged
by those who will seek to repeal the
liquor laws. This law, by holding
state aud national elections jointly,
will give the United States govern
merit soutrol over them, and power
TO investigate aud claims Of fraud
perpetrated at them. 1t is plain as
an enlarged proboscis on a peaked
face that the prohibluonists We're
merely throwing an additional safe
guard around the statewide bull. To
them the red flag OF negro DONNA
tion meant nothing, for they have
no fears but what the whites will
dominate even in the negro counties,
as has always been done. The
Greathouse bill will go long way
IN eliminating much OF the alleged
unfairness in Arkansas politics, Tor
though it does not reach the prlma'
ries, il will force the Democratic
party to put up better class OF
men to hold their own in the gener'
al election.
The balance of legislation has
been 95 per cent local in ITS nature,
but II has been wholesome, and will
result, for the most part, IN the
general upbulding of the state.
The Fortieth General Assembly has
the best appearing, and by far the
most intelligent of any IN recent
wears. II is true that the House
defeated the ! est primary election
law that could be prepared by the
most eminent lawyers of Arkansas,
and one which the Senate declared
could not affect the man who hon.
estly won an election, but politi-
clans so muddled the House on this
bill that it lost sight of the many
splendid features, in making a.
mountain out of the mole hill as
the "vIcious" sections were magni.
fed 10 them by the politicians the
bill would have eliminated from of.
fee. There is yet day to come on
this bill, however, and time will ste
1T on the Arkansas statute books.
Every year sees the Assembly get
ting closer to the people, and two
years more will convince the mem-
bers that the people desire a little
recognition at the polls, and the as
surance that the people they elect
will serve IN Office
There has been a tendency in some
counties to abolish the Boards of
Equalization, but the movement did
not have time in which to spread
Two years hence 1T will no doubt be
prevalent, and special school dis
r -