The Harrison times., 1915-02-06
STATE CAPITAL NEWS.

the prohibition question still unset
tied, and a barrier to the passage Of
much important legislation, it being
a case of the drys and vets devoting
their time to watching one another,
and fearful that every measure was
going to bring the situation to
crisis. Thus far the only alignment
in the General Assembly has been on
this one question, wet VS.. dry, No
new leaders have developed, and
the legislature has not eXcrtcd it's
strength, but this will come as soon
as the liquor question is settled.
Then legislation will come with q
rush.
so tar no bills Of real Importance
have been passed by both houses
and vicious legislation has found
trouble in gaining hcadway. The
railroads and large corporations
have SO far Jared well, with the indi.
cations that the condition will last
through the session, 1t is true that
the House declined to entertain 3
cent rate bill, but the Senate would
have none Of the Sunday base ball
measure, The House Camcright back
by entertaining the base ball bill,
and giving it much encouragement
The Senate will no doubt rctGliatc
with a 3 cent rate bill, giving the
railroads the chance to be heard that
was denied them in the House, Then
if the measures are passed by the
houses in which they are introduced,
the other branch will be more con-
sidcratc with it. The railroads have
gained considerable sympathy since
the House declined to permit the bill
providing for three cent fares to be
read a second time, and practically
every big convention which has been
held in Little Rock during the past
two weeks has passed resolutions
asking the Assembly TO he lcnicnt in
dealing with the railroads,
Many Of the bills so far introduced
which affect the railroads are merely
for the purpose Of harrassmcnt and
and TO keep the legislature from de.
voting attention to bigger things
Most Of these measures are prepared
by the labor unions, copied from
laws OF other states, and 50 Tar the
only rctaljatory measure is that by
senator CabincSs of Howard who
has introduced a bill to prohibit
drinking on the part OF trainmcn,
! They orc prohibited, under this bill,
to drink while on or oil. duty, and
the company employing them is LA.
Die TO fine rit does not instantly
discharge them. This measure has
support If the mojorty Of the Sen
ate and will no doubt become law
Other measures yet to come along
this line are one which will reduce
| Pullman fare to any point in Arkan'
sas, for Il lower berth to 81 and
one which will reduce the cost Of ten
word kilograms within the state to
| y cents,
The rapid introduction ofbills has
censcd, AMI will remain in such Il
condition Until final action has been
taken ON many Of the measures now
before the assembly IN the iututr
the consideration OF the apprOprla'
ton bills will consume the time OF
/ the bodies, but the last two weeks
will see some bills offered, making
radical changes in affairs Of state,
! the authors counting upon the rush
Of legislation 10 tide them through
a minority nt that time being able
to block all other matters unless it is
catered to,
State aid to High Schools isa dead
issue or will be within few days,
for the Senate, liks the House, op'
pears to he for the repeal OF this act
The rural districts seem to feel that
their common school funds have
been diverted to the schools Of the
towns or cities, without apparent
Improvement sufficient e. reward
them for the change,
So inr in the senate debate on this
subject, senator SlOughtc is the on.
| ~ one from n rural community who
has stood up for state aid lie re.
sides IN Palestine, ST, l'runeis eOuns
/ IT, and declares that the present
/ plan has resulted IN the erection Of
many high schools IN thcNtOl cour
muuilics and that 1t II comes to a
question Of giving up the least inn
lpoflmL It would he better to part
/ with the higher institutions OF learn.
mg Senator Slaughter is in the
hopeless minority
The Publicity Act was under ire
last week u number oI times bat the
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