The weekly soliphone. (Paragould, Greene County, Ark.) 1907-1918, 1917-01-18
LOCAL. LEGISLATION.

LOCAL LEGISLATION.
The position taken by Gov Bough that he will con-
slider local measures until they have been published
for period of thirty days prior to their presentation to
the general assembly, is in line with wholesome pro-
vision of the constitution that had for it's object the
tament Of the "local bill" evil but in view of the fact
this section Of the constitution has not been rgdly
forced in the past, decision Of the governor to put
the bars up at this time will beyond doubt work serious
hardship many communities So far this paper is
advised announcement of this contemplated policy
made in advance representatives could have had
the opportunity to have the bills published before the
cOnvening of the general assembly 70 force pubca-
ton at this late date would make impossible get the
bills up for consideration until the last three weeks Of
the session. Certainly the members will be in hmOl
to devote time to local at that period when inn
pOrtant measures OF general nature the calen
darl
The supreme court has held that the general assem-
bly, may consider local bills that have not been published
and so, after ALL the matter is purely discretionary with
the members Of the legislature. esl.4. aI
To force publication of all local measures would
work hardship upon the citizenship in sections
For instance, in the western section of Greene county
the land seeking the creation Of drainage
ditch district to reclaim valuable lands. portion of the
proposed district is included in the Greene and
Lawrence drainage district. special act Of the egsa
tre necessary to authorize the inclusion Of these lands
in the district The bill, carrying description OF
IdUS, Is necessarily OWIcIS WIN
have to stand stiff tax to pay for the improvement T
force them to pay publication fees is to place upon them
additional burden without any corresponding benefits
to the public generally If this bill gets consideration
until the closing days of the session it is predoomed to
defeat, because the soons will not permit tito be-
fore them when they have general bills the calendar
The result will be that the land will be denied the
privilege of taxing themselves for the reclamation of val
liable tracts for period of at least two years.
Gov. Brough is right in using his power to curail
the output of local bills, but it is marfesg
tempt the enforcement of drastic dead letter section
the constitution after the general assembly has been
convened for week. Some other way should be de
vised. by the legislature to handle matters of purely
local nature Many good remedies have been suggested
among them the enlargement of the powers of the county
court to act upon majority petitions upon instructions
voted in special elections There matters how
ever that cannot be delegated to the county courts and
in Of this character it imperative that the general
assembly give whatever time is necessary to the consd
GRAFTON and passage of affecting the vital in
teFests of any particular county,
-f>
Thomas w. Lawson used few words gave no
names, evaded direct questions tore his hair at
committee members damned Wall Street and acted like
limo uhn ca11n unOn acts IN his