The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1920-05-28

which is based upon estimates turn
ed in by the various institutions,
etc., carefully checked over by ex-
perts and regulated fairly and uni
formly according to the financial
condition of the state. This would
not take away from the legislature
its powers of appropriation, but
would simply enable it to exercise
these powers intelligently.
+. (2) Consolidation and correlation
of the numerous state boards and
commissions and their work along
the same lines recently followed out
by the state government of Illinois,
thus doing away with many useless
boards and commissions and avoid
ing much unnecessary duplication OF
work.
(3) A more economical and bust
ness-like, as well as humane, man.
agement of the penitentiary and the
state farms.
(4) A central purchasing agency
to have charge of the purchase of all
state supplies.
III. We favor the advancement
and improvement of the states
educational facilities in every way.
In this connection we advocate:
% Stricter enforcement of our
compulsory school attendance laws.
(2) A 1O7mill minimum state
public school tax and no no max
imum for local public school tax;
81 Furtherance of the idea of
consolidation of rural schools;
"a More liberal appropriations
for the state university, the four
state agricultural schools, etc.
Should Refer Local Bills
III. We believe that all local and
special legislation should be sub
ject to a referendum vote of the
people concerned and that the larg-
err part of the field at present COW
cred by the state legislature with
special and local legislation should
be turned over directly to the vo-
tiers of the district concerned. We
favor the good roads movement in
general, but we believe that all
building of roads, bond issues, crea-
ton of road districts, ETC., should be
subject solely to the voters in the
territory concerned. State laws of
a general nature should regulate
this action.
w. Taxation. ~ We favor an
equalization of the burden of taxa
ton by means of the imposition of
a graduated land tax.
(2) We favor a license tax on
natural products as means of rails
ing additional revenue.
(3) We deplore the unfair meth
DDS of tax assessment at present In
vogue in the state and favor the
equalization of assessments through
stricter regard for their duties on
the part of assessors and township
equalization boards.
V. We advocate amending the act
creating the Arkansas Corporation
Commission so as to curtail its pow
ers and provide for the election OF
its members by popular vote.
Suggests New Constitution
vi. We believe that in the near
future measures should be taken to-
ward the holding of a constitutional
convention in order to present to the
voters a new constitution designed
to fit the needs of the state.
II. we IdNOT the unrestricted
initiative and referendum for al
state laws and the recall for elective
officers of the administrative and
Legislative departments. We con-
denim the action Of the legislatures
of the past for inserting in the ma
jority of acts passed a clause max
ing the referendum imperative when
in actual fact, no emergency existed.
VIII. We favor the passage of a
just workmans compensation act
applicable to present industrial con-
ditions Of the state.
More Stringent Publicity