The Prescott daily news., 1915-03-03
POSEY-STEED CON.
 VENT INJPECTION
 BILL PASSES SENATE
blll Aimed Directly at Catholic in- stltutlons of State Includes Pri. 'ate Hospitals and Similar
 Institutions. Vote 22 toS

Little Rock, March 3.-Hoplessly in the minority d mere handfu! Of Sena- tors Tuesday afternoon made a re- markable fight against the Posey- Steed convent inspection bill. but they were assaulting an impregnable posi- tion, and in spite of their strenuous efforts the bill was passed P to 8.
 This bill, aimed directly at the Ca tholic institutions of the state, but in order to reach them putting all pri- vate hospitals and similar institutions under its provisions, was met with a motion from Senator Jones of Pu- laski, when it was called, to place back On the second reading for the purpose of eXempting Pulaski county by amendment. His proposition was met with an avalanche of oposition, the Senate voting 9 to 16 against any fur ther poStponement in the bill, and fol- lowed it with motion for previous question, thus limiting the debate to thirty minutes side in closing.
 No one offered to speak for the bill and Senator Jones began against it. He asserted that it was measure founded on malice, bigotry and preju- dice, in addition to which it was un- constitutional. He declared that the majority of the large Catholic institu- tions were located in Little Rock, but there was no demand among the peo- pie of this city to force such an un- reasonable measure upon them. In his argument Senator Jones spoke of the biased committee of the Senate to which the bill had been referred. when he was interrupted by Senator Caban-
 ss who objected to insinuations con- cerning the committee.
 "I won't express all of my opinion of that committee" was the bitter and sarcastic retort of the Senator from Pulaski.
 ''If this Senate had the proper reli- zion in it's heart, it would not have the desire to entertain such a preju- diced measure as this" was one of the many pointed expressions of Senator Jones, who railed at the opposition for limiting his debate to thirty minutes, but he finally yielded with ten min utes left to Senator L. C. Going.
 Under this bill any institution of the state can be ruined in week, demurred Senator Going, Eff the sher- if or his deputies so desire, for it gives them the power to make inspec- tion at any time. This bill displays the mailed hand of prejudice, and is clothed in envenoned hate. It will drive the patients from the institu- tions if the half drunken officers ar- pear there in the middle of the night few times. do not say this is go ing to happen, but it is possible for the officers to so cOaspire. and carry out their schemes.
 They tell you this bill is for all in stitutions, but III wager that if you take out the reference to convents that it will go to it's death in race horse ! fashion"
 When Senator Going had spoKen ten minutes. Senators Bush and Cab aniness made strenuous efforts to have him stopped under the rules, which brought Senator Calvert to the de- { fense of Senator Going. He declared that the bill encroacheS on the rights of the people, and on the freedom of worship. He pleaded with the Senate to settle the question as intelligent men. and not as fanatics He stated that he was convinced that there was religion enough to go around, and permit those who wish to believe as they care to. Senator Bush object ed to a continuation, saying that Sen ator Going had been instrumental Tn making the rule which would cut off his debate and that he was taking the time to abuse those who opposed his views. Senators Ashley, Garrett and Edmondson, all stating they in tendd to vote for the bill, asked that Senator Going be allowed to proceed with his argument, which he did, with the consent of d large majority of the Senate, taking fifteen minutes IT as ,masterful address upon personal and religious liberties as was ever heard il, thn Senate Chamber He called