Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-11-18
THE DOMINANT
 QUESTION ONE
 OF TAXATION Judge Elliott Expresses Himself on the Consti- tutional Convention. WOULD CRIsTALIZE
 PUBLIC OPINION Eminent Jurist Suggests Putting Be- fore the People Document In
 Nature of Test Con.
 stitudOn.

As the delegate from this district Judge John M. Elliott will attend the constitutional convention that is scheduled for tomorrow in Little Rock.
 Judge Elliott said, in reply to ques- tiOns asked concerning his position on the adjournment or no adjourn nent of the convention, that he had determined to get on the floor of the convention and listen to the thoughts advanced by others before definitely making up his mind on this question, "htt," continued the judge, II have been giving this matter much thought, and unless some one presents view oxs the situation radically different from any that has been called to my attention shall certainly adhere to my own opinion in the natter
 The Great Questions.
 Questioned as to the nature of this opinion. Judge Elliott said:
 ,:I am convinced that the great questions of the constitution are taSes. state stability and the matter oF giving power to cities to raise and expend money for their improve ment.
 ,ssWe are not going to end the war In any short period of time; we are bSginnlng to feel the war taxes now, aIid 1t is possible, nay probable, that they will become heavier and heavier as we get deeper in to the war. Arkansas like other states must pre- p9re to face this issue. We will knok rfiich better sometime in the spring nr early summer what we are called upon to meet than it is possible for m; to imagine at present, and, in consequence, I am for a final deter Maination about the constitution we sIAll adopt coming at that time.
 Tentative Constitution.
 S'Do not misunderstood me. The r4pult of much thought on the ques- tim leads me to the belief that it iaN better to organize the convention at once. Elect officers. review some 0h the constitutions prepared by the delegates, select from all sources what, in the opinion of the delegates, is best for the state of Arkansas, and then. when we have what we think we want. put this constitution before the people of the state for definite period as a tentative proposition, as an. instrument embodying what the delegates, with present knowledge of conditions, thing will meet the re- Quirements of the people. The con- vention can then adjourn to meet again at the specified time.
 Cristalixe Public Opinion.
 In the meantime the people of Arkansas will have this constitution or these amendments, as the case may be- before them, The news papers will take 1t up, the people will become familiar with every clause, with every detail, they will know what they likc and what they dislike, in other words, during this period of test, as it were, there will he a cristalization of popular thought, and upon the reconvening of the constitutional body, neither the dele gates nor the people will be called upon to act with either blindness or haste. and the very best esults will be obtained.
 
 ton you ask, and unless someone shall bring forward a more reason able and a more logical view I shall maintain it on the floor of the con- vention.
 Stability of State.
 "Concerning the stability of the state" the judge continued in answer to the question as to what he meant ty that expression.
 II am in favor of so regulating tax income and state and county expenses that the script of this state will not he subject to fluctuation. We should run our state as big business is run. If we have improvement dis tricts there should be not only the money for the improvement, but the necessary fund for it's maintainance. If the state finds it necessary to is- sue paper, then there should be such assurance of management under con- stitutional laws that will insure par value to that paper. and as for the cities, l certainly think there should be some more or less radical change in present laws. We are progressing --opr entire people-and our cities must keep pace with us.
 These last two matters, however, are determinate upon whether the convention shall adjourn, merely up on the appointment of committees, or without any measures whatever being taken. or upon its continuance as a convention. At present, therefore, I am concerned most with this ad- journment. and believe that the ten tative constitution to focus and cEistalize public opinion, as have explained it, is the most satisfactory method of procedure.'