The Little River news., 1919-01-15
LEGISLATURE ORGANIZED
 ON RECORD TIME
HI. l.. Fender is President of Senate { c. P. Newton Speaker of the HOusc-The Governors
 Message.


 al Assembly convened at noon today. :, For the first time in the history of lthe state, probably, so far as any one can remember, both houses were prac- tically organized when they met, all [ that was 1ecessary being ratifica- ton of what had been done in caucus This is important, since it will be the means of saving several days time for more important business than wrang- ling over organization.
 ! H. L Fender of Lawrence county is President of the Senate, his election having been assured several months ago. Ira Langley of Clay county is secretary of the Senate. Practically all of the minor officers and employees had been selected in caucus.
 C. P. Newton, of Little Rock, was similarly selected for Speaker of the House, all opposition having gradual ly withdrawn as it was seen that his election was certainty. Similarly Harvey G. Combs of Fayetteville, was chosen for chief clerk without op- position, and other places were filled without the scramble
 There never We!s so small number of candidates for the various clerical and other positions. This is largely To fo at hot nd young and cid. who have usually been active i'll. pressing their claims, have other and more profitable employment i that will last longer than sixty days
 There is big legislative program before this session, enough to engage the time and attention of the lsWmak- CTS even though no local legislation were considered at ali. Gov. Brough himself has outlined in his message enough work to keeE the Legislature busy for weeks. An effort will be made to secure by statute many of the things that were provided for by the proposed constitution, where they may not be ill conflict with the present constitution
 There will be numerous proposed amendments to the Constitution Strange as it might appear to prac- tica1 politician of ten years ago, there is scramble to see who shall have the honor of first introducing the suf- frage measure in both the House and the Senate That it will be adopted very early inthesessionisassured. very early in the session is assured. i There will be no effort to submit prohibition amendment since the state is already dry by statute. But one of the first acts will be to ratify the Federal prohibition amendment which will bring a dry United State; nearer to {. realization. f Gov. Brough's message is a most progressive document, and makes many important recommendations fol the good of the state.
 Important recommendation by Gov ernor Brough:
 Sale or lease Of the state convict farm at Cummins and employment o1 the convicts in building good roads.
 Establishment of an executive bud get system.
 Various amendments to make more effective the present tax laws.
 Establishment of central purcnas- ing agency to buy all supplies iol state institutions and departments. Woman suffrage.
 Removal Of the limit as to the amount that each Confederate pensi- oner shall draw.
 A constitutional amendment to al low cities and towns to issue notes or bonds to pay off their indebtedness, then prohibiting them from spending more han their revenues. Provision for the maintenance of roads.
 0I0disIOu OI du pal board.
 Purchase of farm upon which may be employed epileptic and convales- cent patients of the state hospital for Nervous Diseases. Selling of the property of the State Blind Sschcol, moving it to ai site on the state land near the DeafMute h. stitute and combining the two under one management.
 Provision for the county superin- Itendents of schools in every county and the establishment and the appointment of school com mission
 Establishment of corporation com mission to take over the duties of both the State Tax Commission and the State Railroad Commission, both of