Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-02-09
Change OF Venue
BILL GETS AXE
IN UPPER HOUSE
Measure Aimed at Corpora
tions Contained Joker,
So Was Slain.

Little Rock, Feb. S.-BuSh change
of venue bill got axe in senate this
morning. For some days the OPP
position to this bill has been dull
ing its axe by amendments and de-
be long drawn out. This bill would
permit a change of venue in civil
cases upon the presentation of affi-
davits from four citizens that either
the defendant or the plaintiff could
not secure a fair and impartial trial
in the county in which the suit was
brought.
The bill was aimed at corporations,
and at first it had only a provision
for the plaintiff taking a change of
venue, but a joker appeared in the
amendment to make it apply to both
parties to a suit, which amendment
was accepted by the author. This
caused senator's who were for it in it's
original form to oppose the measure,
they saying the corporation could pAe-
sent the affidavit and take the suit to
some distant county where the poor
man defendant could not follow.
The chief objection to the bill was
the fact that the persons making the
affidavits could not be brought into
court and questioned as to the rea-
sons why they thought the defend
ant OF plaintiff could not secure a
fair trial.
Senator Bush insisted that it was
fair and just bill, and was support
ed in his contentious by Senators
Brown and Concrief, while Senators
Ponder, Smith, Adamson and Ale.:-
ander GRATED on the other side. Sena-
tor Bush declared that if it was no.
in the interest of the poor man there
would not be such 2 lobby maintains ed
about the building to defeat it.
This assertion brought down a
shower OF protest. Senator Alexander
crlticising the remarks, declaring that
any corporation or an individual had
perfect right to come to the capitol
and talk matters over with the mem
bers, or otherwise tteir interests
could not be looked after Senator
Alexander also criticised the bill as
an insult to the courts of Arkansas
| the bill was defeated after an argu-
ment lasting an hour or more, on a
vote of 13 to 10.
Amend Hospital Bill.
With this bill out of their system.
the senators settled down to earnest
work and after adopting the house
amendments to the Carruth state gen
eral hospital bill, passed the Great
houses and Adamson bill to require
superintendent Of the state hospital
10 examine all commitment papers
SO that persons not insane might moi
be admitted to the hospital. This bill
IS to prevent the institution being
used for the treatment of inebriates
and drug fiends.
| Inc banks and banking committee
brought in an unfavorable report on
the Buchanan bill, from the house to
reduce the rate of contractual inter-
est from 10 to per cent.
me senate passed the Adamson
Dill amending the act which created
municipal court for Little Rock
and Argenta; and the Adamson bill
winch permits fire insurance COM
panles to insure automobiles when
they are running or standing ont
side of garage.
The local bills, one by Senator
Ponder to fix the fees of the circuit
clerk IN Lawrence county, and the
olner by Senator Alexander creating
fencing district in Mississippi coun-
ty, were passed.
| Inc Davenport bill, extending the
state law governing deputy prose
| cutting attorneys so that White co IN.
ty would come within it's provjsi IS
ana could have such an official
called Up for passage, was placed
| pack on second reading and amended
so that Arkansas, Little River, Sewer
Howard. Nevada, Lafayette, Johnson
and Columbia counties may also have
deputy prosecuting attorneys.