The Spectator., 1915-02-05
GOVERNOR REQUESTS APPOINT. MENT OF JOINT COMMITTEE
 TO MAKE INVESTIGATION.
INQUIREY IS TO BE THOROUGH
Governor Says That R. w. Hart, Sec retary of Old Board, Refuses to
 Surrender the Records.
Little Rock

Hays Tn special message to both houses of the General Assembly, q concurrent resolution was adopted ap- pointing a special committee of three from the house and two from the Senate to make a thorough investiga- tion of the affairs of the State Board of Charitable Institutions about which so virulent controversy has ragged for several months.
 In asking for this committee, Gov ernor Hays said:
 Tn my genreal message to you in the beginning of your sitting, l called your attention to the unsatisfactory condition of affairs under the manage ment of the late Board of Trustees of the State Charitable Institutions and asked an investigation. l now, in this special message, call your attention again to that subject and earnestly and respectfully urge upon you imme diate and thorough investigation into all the affairs of the state charitable institutions under their management and control.
 You are familiar with the charges of maladministration, violation of law and official corruption in that respect, as they have been published in every quarter of the state and the people demand to know the truth. The in- vestigation made by Captain Burkett, at my request, shows a very deplora- ble situation of mismanagement, waste and violation of the law by the members of the board removed by me and by their secretary and purchasing agent, MT. Hart. Messrs. Shane, Par sons and Dunaway, three members of the board removed by me, and Mir Hart who was removed for cause by the beard apointed by me, still assume to act as such, and continue to ob- struct the orderly administration of the affairs of the state charitable in- stitutions
 MT Hart is in possession of the records and property belonging to the board and refuses to surrender the records and property to their lawful custodians, the secretary elected by the board to succeed him. Every ef- fort by the new board at conciliation has been made in the interest of the state charitable institutions and the unfortunate wards of the state but without avail The controversy has reached very acute stage and the state treasurer and state auditor will decline to recognize the acts of any persons claiming to be trustees of the state charitable institutions or as sec retary of such Board of Trustees un- til the confusion at present existing shall be cleared away.
 Action is pending in the court of the suit of the attorney general against MT. Hart. but, it cannot be brought to trial in the Circuit Court for some days yet, and, perhaps long CT. and after the decision in the Cir cult Court, the party aggrieved by the decision will have an opportunity and right to appeal to the Supreme Court and it may take months before final decision can be had in that tribunal of the questions at issue In the mean time, the state charitable institutions are practically paralyzed. The people are entitled to know the truth, and are anxious for a full and fair investiga- tion of all matters, acts and persons connected with the management of these institutions now and recently un- der criticism. The persons accused are entitled to this, and, if they are not guilty, they should court the quick. est and fullest inquiry of their con duct Honesty need not fear the sun light, and corruption and violation of the law in every public place, high or low, should be speedily exposed and adequately condemned and punished.
 I ask ;n the name of the people of this state, who have elected your- selves and me as their public servants. that you appoint immediately a joint committee of both houses composed Of three members from the house and two from the Senate to investigate all these matters with direction to do so at once and to bring in their re. port for your consideration and ac-
 During the discussion of the suf- frage resolution in the house, Dr. Bishcp asked MT. Gray if he ever ex- pected to want to marry again. and he retorted, "If do, it will not be one of these suffragettes"
 Both houses passed a bill to pension Mrs. Elmira Waggoner of Marion county, widow of a Confederate sol dier. She is 116 years old
 
 Opposition has developed in the house to any movement for the re. peal of the act creating the State Board of Health, or for the exemption of counties.
 Hollenworth of Ouachita has estab- lished his reputation as the wit of the