The Pulaskian., 1920-02-06
SPECIAL SESSION
 GETTING RESULTS
EXPECTED OPPOSITION TO GOOD ROADS PROGRAM HAS NOT DE- VELoPED ON FLOOR OF THE
 HOUSE OR SENATE.

Joufn Slne die at noon next Friday, February 6. It may be stated definite ly, finally and without possibility of contradiction, that there will be no more extra sessions held this year. Whatever may be the outcome of the present legislation, it is certain that anything of a remedial measure must await the regular session next Janu- ary.
 While there is no doubt of the gen. eral demand for curative road laws at the present time, it is also as certain that not only among the lawmakers themselves is there much opposition in the legisla- ture, especially the House, to- ward the present session, although the progressive majority has insisted that the work for which they were called together should be completed. Various efforts were made during the week for an earlier adjournment, but those were defeated in the interest of counties that are demanding remedial acts.
 A greater volume of law is being enacted at this session than at the second extra session and it will al- most equal that of the regular ses- sion. Not only are many curative acts being passed, but a great many new districts are being organized. The opposition, whie had been expected, failed to develop on the floor, except in a few rare instances. It is known, however, that some of the proposed districts were abandoned as the result of negotiations outside the legisla- ture. As rule. each representative has been considered responsible to his own people for his acts and the representatives of other counties, hav- ing troubles of their own, have been willing for others to share their own responsibilities. The passage of laws, therefore, became very much of per functory routine, and hundreds of rolls were called and entered on rec ord where the members gave no at 1 tention whatever to the calling of their names. This, however, is per fectly valid and legitimate, since the courts have held that the records are presumed to speak the truth and that even the courts are not authorized to go back of the records.
 A Physical Impossibility.
 If each bill were read in full three times and each roll call were called in full, it would be physically impos- sible to transact the business coming before the session in less than eleven working days.
 While the entire state is interested more than ever in the construction of permanent highways, and the people are more or less willing to pay the necessary taxes to provide them, it cannot be denied there is a growing sentiment that the high water mark has been reached for at least few years, and that the various counties should complete the projects already provided for before providing for others.
 It is stated officially that there is now more than eight thousand miles
 = 1..-l.~.o., oo,e+,,, o+;o,, i,,o1,1dad in bills already passed or pending, repre- senting an aggregated bonded in- debtedness of approximately one hun dred and ten million dollars. There is scarcely a county that has not one to ten districts, probably every one of which is needed, for it cannot be denied that good roads, more than any other factor, make for the pros perity of any community. There are numerous instances, however, of dis tricts that over-lapped and in such cases. the burden frequently falls heavily on some of the tax payers
 It is also believed that there is certain to come about revuls1on Of sentiment toward the system of To- cal legislation, which has developed in Arkansas during the last few years. Not later than two regular sessions ago, when the creation of road dis tricts by special act was inaugurated, the author of such an act was ire quent1y severely condemned by large element of his constituents and he must needs brave this public con- demnation in order to secure the en- actment of such laws.
 The same, however, is true of the. courageous pioneers in practical poli-