The Springdale news., 1919-02-07
STATE NEWS ITEMS
By Clio Harper.
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by 1ilo harper.
 Little Rock, Feb. 3-Some force that is greater than human resistance is driving both House and Senate to super-human efforts and every kind of a record established by former General Assemblies, so far as work is concerned, have been smashed. While the number of bills introduced in the Assembly has nothing indicative of a real ability on the part of either branch, yet 1t does show that some work has been done There were 500 bills and fully 100 resolutions, memorials and other measures which were also considered It is an easy matter to introduce bill, but a rather difficult one to put through, yet in the first three weeks there were twenty five acts approved by the Governor, and there were twice as many more awaiting executive ap- prevail.
 The 1919 General Assembly IS in every way a capable body, and this with determination to accomplish something, must bring results that are beneficial to the people.
 The Senate, less incumbered with a lengthy roll call, is able to attend to business with twice the rapdity of the House. The members are less inclined to making speeches, some of the most important measures going to q vote without even an explanation The members know that the others have advised themselves of the pro- visions of all pending matters. and that leng winded speeches will not change one vote, consequently they save the oratory for closing day. There is an occasional outburstl but it usually is in defense of some trivial 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 will commence the night sessions. All this IS nee essary 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. '
 It is no reflection on presiding of ficers of former General Assemblies to speak in the most complimentary manner of the two now ruling over the House and Senate. Former As sembles have had remarkably able presiding officers, but it is seldom in history that both branches are so we'll cared for as at present. Both presiding officers were chosen with out opposition and days prior to the opening of the session. This re moved the bitterness of faetional fighting, and the presiding officers are for the whole instead of for the part. Both are exceptionally we'll versed in parliamentary procedure, as well as being able speakers, possess ed of the poise necessary Tn sue cessful presiding officer, and above all things, they are fair There IS no hemming or having over decision and it comes forth clear cut and eon- else, accepted by all as final.
 President Harry L. Ponder Is a stickler for decorum in the Senate, and he is member as well as pre- siding officer. His bills lean largely to good roads, though improved me thods of banking, as we'll as the re- meval of impediments to legal pro eedure, demand much of his attention. President Ponder is the possessef Of a keen sense of humor, but il has never yet permitted some ot the pranks of former sessions to be re- peated.
 Speaker (. P. Newton started the session in rather poor health, but the task of keeping 100 members con stantly in line seems to have actually agreed with him. Mir. Newton has the profound respect and the cooper ation of every member of the House and no other presiding officer has ever asked for as much. or expected it. Speaker Newton is radically op- posed to local legislation. So much so is he that he will not introduce a local bill What general measures he has presented are upon subjects that are dear to the people, Mr. Newton was for several years superin- tendent of the Confederate Home, and it is said of him that every veteran expressed regret when he left. This is something that was impossible with former superintendents. Because of .he infirmities of the inmates, and heir childishness, former superin- .endents had constant troubles on heir hands, but not so with Mir. New on. He left with more friends than le had at the beginning. Now MT Newton is working for state pension department, having introduced bill or the creation of one. Should he ,e successful in his efforts, there will ,e many who know of his work among he veterans to demand that he be