The Mena weekly star., 1919-02-13
POSIES FOR OUR
 LAW MAKERS
General Assembly of 1919 Declared Fully Efficient and Extra Industri- ous-Much Credit to the Pre-
 siding Officers.
tBy Clio Harper.)


 Some force that is greater thai
 human resistance is driving botl
 House and Senate to super-humal
 efforts and every kind of a record es
 tabEished by former General Assem
 plies, 50 far as work is concerned have been smashed While the nun
 Der of bills introduced in the Assem- bly, has nothing indicative of a req ability on the part of either branch yet it does show that some work ha' been done. There were 500 bills ane fully 100 resolutions, memorials and other measures which were also con sidered. It IS an easy matter to ln- troduce a bill, but rather difficult one to put 1t thru, yet in the first three weeks there were twenty-five acts approved by the Governor, and there were twice as many more wait ing executive approval.
 The 1919 General Assembly is in every way capable body, and this, with determination to accomplish something, must bring results that l.ALE BNisEA4Nfdt " @4A[ kG1tfAIs
 The Senate, less incumbered with a lengthy roll call, is able to attend to business with twice the rapidity of the House. The members are less inclined to making speeches, some of tine most important measures going to a vote without even an explana- tion. The members know that the others have advised themselves of the provisions of all pending matters, and that long-winded speeches will not change one vote, consequently they save the oratory for closing day. There is an occasional outburst, but it usually is in defense of some trivi- al matter which should have been set tied in the cloak room.
 The House is keeping up with the Senate by working longer hours in the day, and this week wifi commence the night sessions. All this is neces- ,sary and recognizing the fact, those less inclined to work on the floor, and more in the committees, are not even chasing the workers as "battle- axers."
 ft is no reflection on presiding off, .cers of former General Assemblies 10 speak in the most complimentary manner of the two now ruling over House and Senate Former Assem- plies have had remarkable presiding officers, but it is seldom in history that both houses are so well cared for as at present. Both presiding off, ficers were chosen without opposition and days prior to the opening of the session. This removed the bitterness of faetional fighting. and the presid- ing officers are for the whole instead of for the nart. Both are exception ally we'll versed in parliamentary precadure. as well as being able speakers. possessed of the poise nec- essarv in a successful presiding off, scer. and above all things, they are fair There is no hemming or haw- ing over decision and it comes forth rlear-ent and concise, accepted by all as final
 President Harry L. Ponder is a stickler for decorum in the Senate, and he is a member as we'll as presid- ing officer. His bills lean largely to good roads, tho improved methods of banking. as we'll as the removal of 9Yupedinents to legal procedure. de- mand much of his attention Presi- dent Ponder is the possessor of a keen sense of humor, but it has never yet permitted some of the pranks of former sessions to be repeated.
 Speaker c. P. Newton started the session in rather pcor health. but the task of keeping 100 members con- stantlv in line seems to have actual lv agreed with him Mr Newton has the profound respect and coon eration of every member of the House. and no other presiding officer has asked for as much. or expected t. Spf ker Newton is radically opposed 10 iaral legislation So much so is he that he will not introduce local 2 bill What general measures he hes pres sented are upon subjects that sTe dear t0 the people Mir Newton was fer saverai wears superintendent of the Confederate Home. and it is said ccf nm that every veteran expressed regret when he left. This is some thirg that was impossible with for mer suDerintendents. Because of the irhrnaities of the inmates. and their ch1dishness. former superiutendents had constant troubles on their hands but not 50 with Mir Newton He left with more friends than he had at the Beginning. Now Mir Newton is work ing for a state pension department. having introduced a bill for the crea- tion of one Should he he success ful in his efforts. there will be many who know of his work among the vet erans to demand that he be given the appointment. Knowing conditions as he does. certainly the appointment Of